Mauboussin Mauboussin for women

I don't often absolutely hate fragrances, but my goodness I absolutely hate this one. I didn't get plum, and the ylang-ylang was far too much. It's not often I have to scrub fragrances off but this stuff goes on and on and on... and it gets onto everything. My coat needed a wash afterwards, it was that potent.
On the positive side, if the notes here are your cup of tea, you'll get a long-lasting fragrance at a very good price. Mauboussin seems to make decent quality, long-lasting fragrances at affordable prices. They are very giftable, but with this one I advise making sure the recipient likes strong fragrances before giving it as a gift.

Like it much, not love therefore it's not unique enough. A very warm,cosy tonka bean vanilla scent. It's sweet indeed but lovely sweet not celebrity scent sweet. It's a moderate projection not the power bomb i was hoping for. Overall it's nice but not unique or different. I have smelled this kind of scents many times before. So i will finish my bottle but not purchase again. 😊

I've only worn this a handful of times, but I've been enjoying it a lot so far. My bottle is the one with the all-silver cap (unfortunately could not get my hands on a more vintage bottle).

With all the different notes listed, I wasn't really sure what to expect, other than a mature plumchouli leather bomb, based on some other reviews. The first time I sprayed this after buying (btw this was super cheap @ about $35 CAD), I got so much fruit-leather-stinky ash tray up my nose that it made me immediately regret my purchase. I had been eyeing this perfume for well over a year.... I finally bit the bullet... and... eugh! I left it in my perfume cabinet untouched for a couple of weeks (bc of that initial impression, and bc the cap on the bottle is so gd hard to remove and I have no patience or time to deal with that when I'm rushing out the door).

After spraying it another few times, I believe I was finally able to truly experience what the scent is meant to be. While that leathery note still lingers a tiny bit in the opening, about an hour later it settles down into the most delightful, powdery plum. Tbh it is nothing out of this world and is quite linear (minus that sharp opening), and the sillage is not as strong as I was hoping. But it's definitely a warm, cozy scent perfect for those who like a dark, dramatic fragrance. I go nose-blind throughout the day unless I'm really sniffing it out, though here and there I will get little whiffs of it (this is with 3 sprays. I should try 4-5 but worried the opening will kill me).

As for the fruits, I can't tell which is which except for the plum that shines quite brightly. For the florals, the indolic jasmine tends to stand out on me more than the others but blends so nicely with its counterparts, all on an amber-patchouli-vanilla yummyness. I wouldn't dare wear this other than in the cold weather. Just sniffling the bottle, without spraying, I get Angel vibes, as Flared Maple mentioned. But upon spraying and drydown, that completely disappears.

I have had my bottle for several years and I’m just not a fan. I think I was expecting the notes described to be different than how they smell.

It basically reminds me of what a warm Christmas fruitcake might smell like.

Christmas fruitcake that your great aunt who wears very heavy old fashioned patchouli based perfume brought by. The patch is very much the dirty kind, very earthy mossy and dank.

I tried to like it but it’s just not my taste. I think I’m not that daring or adventurous or maybe it’s just to heavy and to far away from what I expected based on the notes.

The review that described it as mentholated cherries and as a witchy fragrance was pretty spot on and that is a good way in which to describe it positively.

I wish I could like it because you can tell by the lasting power and how little you need that it is actually a very good quality juice. It also smells like expensive ingredients were used but it just is not up my alley.

Sadly this was a blind buy fail for me.

This smells awful to me on first opening. Like a cleaning liquid but in the worst way. Will macerate and come back for review. Right now it smells nothing like the notes.

What a strange one.. Batch is 302301 for anyone wondering.

A couple of months ago I found it cloying and strange and maybe a bit of that earlier described ashtray was present. I just tried it and instead I am getting a warm soft syrupy amber with a heavy dose of patch. Also, someone else mentioned that the power was in the sillage, this might be true because my partner noticed the scent lingering in my home office and he basically just said "something smells very nice".

The scent feels assertive and feminine without being girly. I will definitely try and get some more wears out of this before spring arrives, and I'm curious to see how it will have changed until the next season.

The sillage is a witchy concoction of fruits and heavy patchouli. Midnight Poison’s stepsister, blatantly evil, a ne’er do well that doesn’t hide behind a syrupy sweet facade. Up close, Mauboussin smells like mentholated cherry lollies, but the sillage is where the magic happens. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very abrasive scent. I have the reformulated version people are all hating on and I like it, so I can only dream of what the original smelled like.

A powerhouse, smell from afar only. I have 100ml that I will enjoy but will not finish in this lifetime, or the next, or the next….

I love the changing of seasons, when you get to experience the fragrances, that have been hidden away for months, all over again. The fragrances have macerated, your sense of smell has changed and suddenly they are all new!

I won’t leave a full review, because of course the scent is so basically the same, but man it’s so different too!

To my nose the peach has really come forward compared to the last 5-ish years (I believe my bottle is from 2018) that I’ve been wearing it! It’s less resinous and has a soft fresh sweetness that I have never experienced before. In previous years I experienced the fruit notes as just dried fruits and very subdued, but now the peach shines in a more juicy way! I had never expected it to become more juicy and fresh after 5 years! I would have expected it to become more spicy and resinous instead! It is suddenly much more youthful, and it smells more powdery and clean, where it used to smell more dusty. I also smell something like anise, but it’s not listed as a note, so I’m not sure what it is. At times I pick up something animalic and musky (in an animalic way), which I also haven’t picked up on before.. But MAN is this peachy all of a sudden!

In the heart the peach starts to tone down, and the fragrance becomes more floral. The rose is also much more prominent than before. The peach, jasmine and rose are a delicate bouquet and very pretty. It vaguely reminds me of Tresor, despite smelling very different. Where to nee this has always smelled like a dry, dusty, woody, spicy, resinous scent (if that makes sense), it’s now much more delicate, fruity and powdery, with the aforementioned profile forming the base. As if I’ve layered another fragrance (something reminiscent of Tresor) over the Mauboussin I knew. It’s Mauboussin, but it’s different.
Deeper into the heart the banana like sweetness of the ylang comes forward.

I love this new experience, yet I also have to get used to it. This fragrance has become much more feminine to my nose, but I did like it for it’s almost masculine dryness. I do believe I’m now experiencing this now how I’m supposed to. I think the resinous notes were not supposed to overpower the fruity and floral ones, but they did before. I believe I’m now experiencing the full elegance of a scent that is much more complex than one might think on first wear.

The one thing I do hope is that the dry down will still smell like old books, because that was my favourite thing about this. I won’t reach the dry down today, because I only sprayed it in the evening.

Exploring a fragrance over the years is a journey, and Mauboussin is taking me on a ride… and I’m here for it!

ETA: this ended up to be a full review after all. As I’m heading to bed way too late I have in fact reached the dry down. The dry down still has my beloved smell of old books, but the dry down too has changed. It now has the sweetness of dried fruits that I know from how the opening was before and which used to fade away.

The fragrance overall has become a bit more perfume-y, and while the new layers add complexity, I also feel they somewhat takeaway from its earlier uniqueness. All in all this fragrance does age like a fine wine and I’m the 5 or 6 years I’ve owned my bottle, new layers have been opening up and coming forward without the slightest hint of the fragrance going bad. This truly is a rare gem for the price, and would make a worthy signature. I feel it has become more decidedly French with these new layers, so I envision this on an elegant Parisian lady in a quaint antique bookshop, her perfume mingling with the scent of old books, wooden beams and dust.

I was cautious of this perfume after reading the reviews. I was expecting something overpowering and hard to handle. I must admit that my bottle is probably reformulated (2023).
Overall, the perfume is quite tame and well behaved. The dry down reminds me of Tocade with less spice. Safe, comfortable and from a ‘by gone era’ when perfumes were well structured, with top, middle and bottom layer. A nice peachy vanilic scent.
I just wish it had more depth…blame it on reformulation, I suspect. The top note is rich - chocolatey and fruity…and, then it goes a bit flat.
Had to edit after 2-3 hours to give it full justice. Reapplied to enjoy the top note again. Arghh…

OMG! I can't figure out if my perfume is expired or if there is something wrong with it. As written below - an old leather ashtray. I don't smell any plums, peaches, roses, jasmine, just the sweet smoke of some ylang, vanilla and smoked prunes. I could not check the batch code, the sites do not find information by number. Maybe someone has a perfume with this code 125701, write how you like it. Disappointing so far, but might give it more time to rest 🤔

Updates: I read the advice that the perfume goes bad in the atomizer tube, so you need to do a dozen puffs to refresh the perfume. And the smell has really changed, at least the ashtray has disappeared)) I'm not sure if this perfume will become my favorite, but I think that the autumn cold will show the better side of it.

This perfume is do disgusting that I wonder if I own a fake one!

Вчера го получих и помирисах само капачката.
УАУ!!! Много интересен, мой тип- плътен, присъствен, точно плодов шипър.
Мек- "рисува"ми богатството, разкоша и цялата палитра от топли, пищни цветове на есента.
Като го понося, ще пиша повече 🙂 💟🍁

Р. S. Абсолютен винтидж!
Но аз обичам винтидж!
Мек, течен кехлибарен мед, разкош, уют, умиротворение, че всичко е, както трябва да бъде и е чудесно, със сливова нотка. Ежедневен.

So this is Mr. Perfume, ladies and gentlemen. Expensive even niche smelling, long-lasting, strong, stunning, exhilarating, warm, fruity-floral-woody amber. Addictive scent. A very concentrated perfume that needs at least an hour to develop!!!! t really needs that hour (on my skin 2 hours) to go crazy, and only then that wonderful fragrant symphony begins, and spreads throughout the room and everywhere you go.
This is not an ordinary mainstream fragrance that you needs 7 sprays to smell something after one hour. Be careful with the quantity, otherwise you will suffocate everyone around you. This is how perfume is supposed to behave, one drop on your wrist, spread it on the other wrist and you smell all day. If you spray it on your clothes, it will smell for 3 more days.

As a consumer, I enjoy this quality for such a ridiculous price, but as a business woman, I absolutely do not understand how this brand can combine such a unique, expensive, heavy, designer bottle and such a high-quality and concentrated fragrance composition, literally for pennies, but I read somewhere that the house Mauboussin kept the perfume department only as a entertainment for someone in the family and thus with their wealth they tolerate it as a non-profit department only for the amusement of that particular family member.
All bottles from this brand are works of art and you really won't find similar quality of bottles even with much more expensive brands. Of all the Mauboussins, this one is the most distinctive and long-lasting. This is not a perfume for those who prefer Versace or Light Blue DG perfumes, this is a serious perfume for the grown-up woman.

Regarding the composition of the perfume itself, it is a fruity-oriental type of fragrance. There is fruit in the head, flowers in the heart and woody and amber notes in the base. Plums and mirabelles, bergamot and peaches are the first to appear, followed by jasmine, Turkish rose, ylang-ylang, and finally the perfume turns into an amber, woody scent with a little patchouli and vanilla, although the flowers and fruits do not disappear, they only soften.

Especially suitable for cold weather, in autumn, when the air is already cold, in winter and early cold spring. Now it's summer and I can't stop smelling it on my wrist, I won't wear it on the street, among people, I'm waiting for the cold season and then I'll enjoy itś full potential. This scent amazed me so much that I have already ordered 3 packages of perfumed cream and a backup bottle of perfume, although it is 100 ml and will probably last me 100 years. But this fragrance is so enchanting that I'm afraid they will stop selling it.
EDIT August 28, 2023: I could not wait until autumn and pulled this gem in the summer heat 35C. I take my words about cold season as only suitable for this parfume back. It is sooo good even in summer. I went for 10 minutes grocery shopping and 2 women approched me and asked me about my perfume. I am going to wear this magical potion all year round! I am in love!

Hello fragheads! I found a few vintage EDP and EDT of this fragrance but I’m unsure which I should get? I love Tonka and benzoin rich bases. I heard some describe the EDP as peachy patchouli- I don’t know if that’s for the reformulated version but I’m hoping for more than that. Is this the rare case where EDP and edt are truly identical in fragrance but the performance is better with the EDP? Please advise :)

Just a gentle reminder to please not downvote reviews unless they’re offensive. If a review is new and doesn’t have any upvotes yet it will be removed completely (I suspect even with as little as one downvote) and not even the writer can access what they’ve written. This is extremely frustrating when you’ve written long, well thought out reviews and it happens constantly. It demotivates people from putting effort into reviews, and no one benefits from that. If you disagree just leave your own review, or scroll past it.

I bought my bottle of Mauboussin in 2017 or 2018 and it’s been one of my favourites since the moment I tried it on. This scent is gorgeous and so sophisticated!

The notes listed on here are a bit misleading, as one would expect this to be very fruity and juicy, and it’s not. Wearing it today I’m noticing fruity (dried fruit, not juicy fruit) sweetness for the very first time, but my bottle is 6 years old and it clearly needed those 6 years to macerate before the sweetness started to come through.
No if anything this fragrance is resinous, somewhat dusty and dry, but very smooth. Individual notes are hard to determine, except for the benzoin.

This is smelling a bit different today than I’m used to, sweeter and fruitier (again don’t expect any juice, this is fruit). I’ve always been able to recognise the bergamot in the opening, although it’s subtle, but today there’s something minty in there too. Clearly this fragrance becomes more and more nuanced and delicious with time.

The fruits (besides the bergamot, which fades very quickly) aren’t distinguishable, neither are the florals for that matter. There’s just a dried fruit sweetness, that’s super well blended with all the other notes.

After about 10 minutes the florals come forward and I pick up jasmine. There’s a hint of a metallic note too that when more present (I’m other perfumes) can make me extremely nauseous and cause migraines (I think it’s either ylang or jasmine, although it only makes me sick in a select few perfumes), so those who are sensitive to migraines might want to avoid overspraying when trying this out and/or test it on paper first.

A little while later the jasmine blends back into the mix and here we reach my favourite part of this perfume. From here on -to me- it smells like an antique bookshop/ antique books and I’m digging it!!! It had that exact dusty, resinous smell of old books and as an avid reader who always smells the books I’m reading like a creep this smell is so heavenly to me.

While I understand why people say this had Shalimar vibes, I do think they’re quite different. In my minds eye this would look like very smooth birch wood, where Shalimar is a dark, polished mahogany. Shalimar is more sensual, where Mauboussin feels more.. professional maybe.. Shalimar wears an evening gown and black furs and Mauboussin wears a business suit. Mauboussin is much smoother and lighter (although it’s by no means a light fragrance). Both Shalimar and Mauboussin have the same type of dustiness to them, a type of resinous powdery dust, but not powdery like (Iris or violet) powder, but actual dust and maybe some sawdust. There’s something raw about it that lures you in. Shalimar is the sensual, voluptuous seductress, and Mauboussin is her geeky sister who sneaks away to the library during the party, to read a book. She is sexy too, but she’s sexy because she’s smart and knowledgeable.
Shalimar turns around and ‘accidentally’ drops the key to her room on her way out.. Mauboussin walks away and a note slips from between the pages of her book…

It's great. It's warm, spicy and cozy. It's lovely to wear at home and yet also has enough oomph for special occasions.

Gorgeous, stunning, amazing, never been done before, unique, the moment💞 This is my third fave fragrance in ly whole life atm. Guys I don't like gourmands that much but what I do like is caramelly, sweet and spicy ambers. THISSSSS is the MOST gorgeous and complex fruity amber scent. The opening is powerful and tart, baldamic but carried by this heavy caramelly base so it smells amazing from the first spray
The nuances of florals come to play after the first blast of citrusand balsam is over. It creates girliness, innocense. This is followed by a stunning, delicious caramelly soft base. The yellow florals give this scent a happy and cozy aura. It is like basking in a nice sunny glow under your fave blanket and eating fudge surrounded by flowers.

What this makes me feel: calm, cozy, safe, sexy but in a loving and caring way, grounded, giddy, girly and a little playful. There is also this underlying seductive current underneath the calmness. For the price this is an absolute master piece
Just ordered a back up bottle. This id in my top 5 frags for life. For vintage lovers it is a must have. But it is powerful. Be aware.

10/10

i can't believe how good this is. yes it is classic. yes it is vintage but it is definitely not outdated. i love the patchoulie/ chocolate combo that stays with my for hours and i only paid 25€ for 100ml. best blind bye ever

I revisted this fragrance today -- I had a huge bottle of it 'way back when' and most likely gave it away on a whim...

Anyway, I dragged out my huge box of minis & decants and lo & behold, a small EDP of this triangular iridescent beauty gazed at me, daring me to dab it on my wrist again ... Well, I did, and like Subhuman said, it's *potent* ... One dab & I can smell this baby at arm's length, easily ... The plum is prominent on my skin and then the indian jasmine, white peach & ylang-ylang harmonize in all their sweet glory ...

I seriously LOL-ed upon reading the closing of Subhuman's review ... Man, what a great read...I could picture everything he/she/they were saying ...

So, yeah -- wear it sparingly [I'm guessing my mini triangle bottle is vintage] -- don't go *ham* with it, as Subhuman mentioned ...

BTW -- THANKS, Subhuman, for that tasty read -- you should write a book ... [LMAO]

~♥~

All I smell is smoke, wood and patchouli. It smells very heavy and kind of bitter to me. Maybe it would be suitable for more mature women and not for me and my 20's.. I really like "Promise Me" by Mauboussin, but this one is definitely not my perfume. It is not a safe buy for sure!

Just received a 100ml from Perfume.com
Disappointed. Definitely reformulated and at light-years distance from the original. Also no turning spray-cap on the bottle. No gorgeous warm peach skin, and the patchouli is of a leathery kind.
Completely different scents. Not that it's THAT bad, just not what expected. Going to cherish my original old bottle.

Mauboussin is not a chypre. There is barely citrus, no woody accord, and no oakmoss. Not every complex balanced fragrance is a chypre. Mauboussin is a fruity amber oriental. Several reviews below mention that this perfume is not what the reviewers expected. Maybe that is why.

Mauboussin smells like sticky preserved plums (not the fresh fruit smell, these are dried sweet plums) with loads of patchouli. The benzoin reminds me of Houbigant Chantilly, but overall the fragrance is nothing like Chantilly. Any lace here is Guipure, not Chantilly. Just the one note is shared. This is dark and scratchy and smells ancient, almost like a once floral vintage from which the flowers evaporated, like the base notes left after a perfume has been stored for seventy years. Could be the smell of a wedding dress stored without being cleaned first. Opposite of fresh.

Down in the heart of this perfume lurks waxy ylang ylang shrouded in layers of dried resin and amber. Like an old burial cloth. This is gorgeous, dark and autumnal with a brooding Serge Lutens quality.

You have been warned!

Insanely good. Subhuman's review below is pretty much bang on. It's not as vintage as I thought it would be but is a resinous, oozing, chocolate, patchouli, animal, honey, vanilla delight. Genuinely super impressed. Incredible staying power and projection as well. I can see Cherry_Darling's point about Anima Dulcis (which I also love) but to me AD is something different due to the strong paprika note that I get from that but not from this.
Anyway, you can get this for next to nothing on Notino, and vintage bottles are well priced on eBay so I think run and grab a bottle and get ready to have your mind blown by something so cheap and unassuming.

I'm really digging this one! i thought it may be far more vintagey than it actually is, very resinous and honey / chocolte / patch. You can definitely smell ylang in there which does in some way make it feel floral and vintey but I would put it more in the resinous gourmand category. What it most reminds me of is arquiste anima dulcis. Which is 10 x this price so I'm tempted to put this straight on my best of cheapies shelf. Do i need this perfume? Probably.

Dries down kind of smokey / concretey. I have to test a few more times...something boozy about it too I think the plum.

If anyone has an unloved bottle in the UK...let's swap! I have 170+ niche samples to trade for it potentially.

Oh shit, this is good. Like Chanel Coromandel and Cartier La Panthère huddled together in a limo, giggling and tipsy, on their way to the best night of the year. Somewhere sweet jasmine and a waft of incense penetrate the evening air, and a feral cat growls. Stone fruit stews in honey as vanilla dances around a velvet-curtained room, lit by a wood fire. A caramel dissolves in your mouth as you ponder, “How can patchouli be creamy?” Mauboussin is playful, rich, sexy, and luminous; somehow dark and bright at the same time, and I just don’t understand how it does that. Christine Nagel is a genius and one of her best works is available to you at a fraction of what it should rightfully cost. It’s boussin’, alright.

[Edit: Having recently procured a vintage of this, I'd like to warn one and all against over-spraying, should you go the eBay route and snag one of those pretty iridescent bottles. They're as potent as nerve gas. Mauboussin's current formulation is a champ in the performance department, but this older juice is something else entirely: doubly animalic, more densely fruity, and BIG. It really does feel like an '80s shoulder-pad perfume accidentally time-travelled to a Y2K party and got into the schnapps. I foolishly went ham on the trigger and now I smell like I'm sitting in a jasmine-scented diaper, blasted on mahogany liqueur and cigars and yelling at the DJ to turn it up, I love this song! You've been warned.]

It surprises me that Mugler Angel isn't in the "This perfume reminds me of" section, because on first spray this immediately reminded me of Angel.
They have A LOT of overlapping notes, and are both heavy on the patchouli.

Overly simplified; this is a less-fruity Angel, with benzoin instead of chocolate in the base.

I don't wear fragrances with benzoin often, because most of the time I find it to be a very overpowering note. In this fragrance however, I find the benzoin to be nicely balanced with the patchouli and ceder, keeping it a little bit more light.

The beggining is very strong, I almost cannot handle it. Later on I smell something really alcoholic - rum, cognac or something like that, I think. But after all, the drydown is nice animalic amber with jasmine and spices. I can wear it, imo. It has Shalimarish vibe 🍂🍁💚🪵

i was thinking that this perfume smells like the edge of the 90s/2000s and lo and behold it's from 2000. it starts with citruses, peach and patchouli...later on i get plum and vanilla. during the first part, the peach is definitely the strongest note on me, and it's quite syrupy for awhile. at first i was underwhelmed, but then i get some woodiness and a smoky leather in which improves everything. it's opulent and when the sweetness dies down it really shines. i can't wait to try again in colder weather.

This is so stunning.

At first spray, I get Mandarin orange and patchouli. I can detect a hint of the Patchouli that can be found in Mugler's Angel (one of my favorite fragrances), but that soon fades as the fragrance transforms. On my skin, the Plum note is amplified by the warmth of the Amber and Creamy Vanilla in the base. The Patchouli is still very much there but is much more subdued. It's Warm, fruity, spicy, and I'd even go so far as to say mysterious. There's something magical about this one. I absolutely can't get over how good it smells.

Ahead of its time.

This creation smells like it has one foot in the brash, hedonistic, resinous creations of the late 1980's and one foot looking far ahead to a future full of fruity/patchouli gourmands. This fragrance opens with a blast. Mirabelle, benzoin, mandarin, and ylang ylang conspire together to create almost a stinky assault on the nostrils. This fragrance initially has an animalistic, civet-like pungency when sniffed up close - potentially enough to scare a would-be sampler away. It smells like something that belongs to the last century; at once syrupy, thick, and slightly rank in the traditions of Ted Lapidus Rumba and a heavy vintage powderyness reminiscent of Gayle Hayman Beverly Hills.

After it has settled a bit and starts mingling in the air, a strangely familiar scent bubble surrounds you. What could it be? Why does this seem so modern? It smells (in my opinion) extremely similar to La Vie Est Belle... if La Vie Est Belle still wore shoulder pads and smoked in the breakroom. The soft, enveloping, sexy fluffiness of LVEB is definitely seen in this precursor. However, Mauboussin is far less sweet, less cloying, less fruity, and is instead spicier, stickier, and darker. It also has a bit of a bourbon note to it, although I do tend to associate sweet woody scents with aged brown liquor by default.

The drydown is very pleasant. It sticks close to the skin and gives off almost a gourmand-y, caramel-esque vibe, before such a thing became the fashion. All in all very impressed, and a great deal for the money.

So just as an update I decided to spray myself with it before bed because of how warm and comforting it is. I only did a half spray because the spray thing was broken somehow. I went to bed, woke up and it smells as strong as 8 hours ago. Insane!!!

This is like getting a really warm kind hug in the middle of a cold winter. It's so kind and I can't explain it but it smells like something an old woman would wear during the harsh cold winter and there's a family gathering and you hug her and you feel so warm and cozy, then you take her coat and scarf and you can still smell this perfume. It's just pure warmth to me. After it dries down it's powdery but it has a sort of "light" to it, a bit spicy/amber, a tiny tiny bit of a hint of spice though not much

If you have gotten a bottle if this and it smells like an ashtray; dispense a few sprays and leave it in your wardrobe for a month or two, checking on it as you like.
I had to do this and it fixed that problem for me.

Sweet, warm, woody, and powdery. Patchouli, vanilla, and benzoin are so prominent. Slightly orangish, and (unfortunately) the plum doesn’t stay long or maybe it drowned by other notes. :(

The dry down is ambery, lipsticky, and woody. Let's see if this one will grow on me. Would love to give it a chance to amaze me.

Edit: After some months, I then realized that the plum is there and quite present! Where have I been?? I think this one has grown on me.

Mauboussin Eau de Parfum is an enigma, and the perfume house is underrated. I have a vintage bottle of this in the beautiful striking iridescent bottle. Its rich complexity is akin to a really good bottle of red wine. I sense leathery notes, dark chocolate, plum, a touch of natural woods, and it feels aged to perfection. There's so much going on, but it's not overwhelming, it's fascinating.

How can a perfume be dry, warm, cool, and sweet at the same time? It's like a jewel which has been cut perfectly to show all of the different facets as it is turned in the light. I see why people receive so many different impressions of it. I waffled and hesitated before finally blind buying this, but I'm so glad I did. It's a gem, and it looks like one, too.

I read a few of the reviews below before blind buying this one. Now, a day after receiving and trying it, I basically read them all, top to bottom, and I'm confused. I know everybodys nose is different and everybodys skin chemistry brings out different aspects of a perfume, but I've never read so many contratictory reviews about one product. Still none of them seem to capture my own experience so I have to add yet another contradictory one to the list.

To me Mauboussin (purple box, silver/clear cap) was a huge disappointment. I expected something rich, dense, dark fruity, chocolaty and I go hit by a punch of sharp, smokey, bitterness instead. Leathery ashtray. I resisted the urge to scrub it off my wrist immediatly to see how it developed and about an hour later indeed something sweet and powdery started to come through, but it wasn't pleasant in any way, it was a dated, old lady powderyness without any richness, depth or youthfullness. And I could still taste (yes, taste) the stale smoke in the background.

So this is my contribution to the confusing list of Mauboussin experiences: Imagine stepping into an elderly lady's living room. Dark furniture, discolored curtains and dark green cushions soaked with decades of the same dated powdery perfume. On the coffe table, placed on a crochet table runner, yesterday's overflowing ashtray. And all you want to do is open a window.

Needless to say: Try before buying!

since its appearance in 2000 I 'carry' this perfume in my perfumial wardrobe. around the same time approximately, Guerlains 'Mahora' came on the scene. such fabulous, bewitching, dense, cloying, rich perfumes marking the end of the aquatics and ozonones. from the start I loved this perfume and once even bought the perfume (as from Mahora). so heady do I like them. today I sniffed my wrist dozens of times and the perfume whirled up from my collar. with amazement I read the characterisation of Mauboussin as 'Fruity Chypre'. while I am 'a fruit', a homosexual man, and love plums as ingredient for perfumes [Jaipur, I believe], to me the perfume forms this well concocted as rich as mystifying pffsst of oriental, junglist, sophisticated, overperforming perfume that initiated a new century. oud would soon come to the West and the 80s (luckily) got a recall. it came to my notice, since Must and Panthère (the real Cartier Panthère) that the Haute Maisons de Joaillerie had the best perfumes. along with the veritable Maisons de Couture. Mauboussin and Boucheron, Cartier and Tiffany, Chaumet and now even Graff. Mauboussin in my experience forms a thick Brazilian tropicalismú athmosphere. the different notes Ylang, Jasmin, Rose, Plum, mirabele Plum, Peach, Amber and the resins and spices Canelle (Cinnamon) and Benzoin, Sandelwood and Patchouli make for a heavy heady fantastic perfume wherein each note refers to the other. these perfumes make this whole echelon 'fun'. Mahora did her part. then came the plethora of Oud-Roses (from Montale, preferrably), and my sense of gorgeous smell was forever fulfilled.

The opening smell like expensive dark chocolate filled with plum liquer!

I'm not even sure what to say, I fell hard for this one and I think it's unbelievably gorgeous. Given the notes I am surprised by how clean and vintage this smells, I expected something dirtier, but this smells (in vibe) like a younger, fruitier Shalimar somehow. At times I even found it smelled like soap, but it does morph and change in a lovely way. Very feminine and sultry, but also pretty.

It reminds me of the 80s in the best possible way. It's the kind of scent I'd love for my kids and close ones to remember me by, so very signature worthy (which I hardly ever say, because most perfumes are only halfway or nearly there)

Beautiful layered scent, that sadly dissapointed in the end!

A blast of sweet (plum, mirabelle) and spicy notes at opening, that calm into a wood, flowers and chypre, almost a bit smokey. This fragrance is very multifaceted, seemingly giving the different notes their own center stage one after the other and blending into an intoxication. At first this seemed like a positive to me, but by now I must say I dislike it a bit. And it has become so incredibly overbearing compared to my usual scents. Also the radius it carries too really doesn't fit me.

I do love the patchouli, amber, vanilla, combined with those beautiful sensual flowers jasmine and ylang ylang. Interesting hints of peach now and then. It dries down into an almost creamy mix of all of these with the sandalwood making an appearance. I think it's interesting to see how they did not use any honey, but still managed to give that impression by combining the right sweet and fruity notes.

Sadly I have to add that while the staying power is a bit too great, the scent also doesn't become better with time. A bit strange, like something is starting to ferment or go bad, as someone else mentioned overripe fruit. That weird sweet tang, and it has staying power like you wouldn't believe. I wore it with a specific shawl, and can still smell this on it half a year later.

I'm definitely not wearing this anymore and that's a shame. I do like to smell the bottle sometimes, but I suspect I will give it away in the future.

This is a dry woody chypre with a dark patchouli heart and an intoxicating ylang/jasmine/sandalwood backbone. I was looking for a scent that evoked red wine, something fruity with bitter tannins, but this is more like a Slivovitz sangria. Which is kind of awesome.

Tippy bottle. It’s heavy and pyramidical so the base is stable but the bottom is rounded so it always rocks as if slightly drunk. That’s a good clue to the upcoming theme in this review.

It opens with fruit, but not juicy fruit. It’s overripe fruit — plum, peach, cherry plum, citrus — that’s been blended together to ferment in a cauldron or still with patchouli. This is not a sweet perfume but a dry, woody, boozy one. Debauchery with a sense of propriety.

The jasmine and ylang ylang begin to add to the fermented sense by picking up on the heady notes of the fruit. It becomes both fruit and floral, like Mugler’s Alien bursting through the chest of some insipid celebrity fruity floral; you can’t help but cheer the whole bacchanal on.

The fruit blood remains all the way through as the sandalwood takes on an incense-y quality and the ending vanilla breath is the luxurious sigh of a binge drinker who knows they can sleep in the next day. It’s all very delicious and intoxicating. This is a seven-day-bender perfume. Spray lightly: it’s potent stuff. You don’t realize how loud you’ve sprayed it until you see people wince around you.

I was experimenting so I layered it (a lot) with Poison, going for a sort of “Drunk Poison” thing before I knew the full power of Mauboussin. Ravens fell from the sky. The Cure began playing on an untouched record player ... backwards, and it sounded like Ministry. Bats bumped against my window. My scaredy grey tabby cat fluffed up and fled the room but my slinky black cat came over and demanded to be fed; she has hypothyroidism so that’s nothing new.

Anyway. Maybe don’t layer it with Poison because Mauboussin is more than enough on its own.

Plum, peach, jasmin, benzoin, resins, patchouly, woods... they don't make them like this anymore! very layered fruity amber scent. My bottle is vintage, it has beautiful iridescence. Very feminine and classy, a bit retro. Good projection and longevity on my skin.

I have procrastinated this review for sometime, waiting patiently for some muse to breath a certain life into the words I want to use in expressing my perception about this perfume. If you haven't gathered already, no celestial inspiration ever manifested, and now as temperatures are beginning to warm, I am desperate to see this disappear on my to-do list. Composed by Christine Nagel, a renowned visionary in the field of perfumery, and a genius at using polyosmic orchestration in the production of massive scent concepts. I wanted to love it, but instead, find myself wearing a serious sourness, as I grimace against screaming pitches and misplaced, ill-timed plunges of saturation. It puts me off balance, and it has yet to be decided whether that sensation, is indeed, pleasurable. When I test on paper, I cannot seem to get past this salty floral connotation of Play Doh. Again for me, I am met with Ylang Ylang and jasmine. So very unpleasant their combination, that I flinch before the blotter even nears my nose. As if that wouldn't be challenging enough, she incorporates three stone fruits for good measure, because when did that ever go wrong?! Top notes of patchouli and benzoin are concentrated to a prescription strength, that really should be worn under a physician's direction. Possessing this robust antiseptic peppery-ness, and lacking not in synthetic amber chords, this feels like it could be used in the preservation of flesh, like a freshly exhumed sarcophagus. On skin, I catch myself for a moment, and in that moment attempt to quiet my mind to grasp gasping potential, struggling against its infancy. Peach notes warm with sandalwood and rose, and my eyes widen in an anticipation of an unfolding metamorphosis. Something stands in the distance, lost in a strongly resinous shadow - something tangible that could produce a beautiful dawn; hot as the radiating sun in a desert's morning light. Lost again in the obscurity of brassier remedial compounds, I sit betwixt the polarizing forces of good and evil, and past that pull, nothingness.

As an ambre fan, this one is a staple on my every day shelf. This is one of my go-tos when in doubt.

A boozy sweet fruit opening with quite a load of patch in it too. Not a gourmand sweetness though, which is good in this case.
It develops into a warm heady balsamic with a touch of dry bitterness. The woods are softened by the ylang ylang which blends well with the bergamot. The plums fade away and make room for a touch of dirty rose and vanilla.

A patch powerhouse it remains throughout the setting in and down on the skin.
If you are not into heavy amber/patch, this might not be for you. In my book, though, it is a steady keeper.

On me this is amber/woody/warm spicy/balsamic patchouli. Not a hint of plum jam or anything sweet. A rather dry woody scent. Not a crowd pleaser, can become a huge love for anyone who is into woody niche quality type of perfumes. And for that Mauboussin is priced at a bargain price.

Thick and rich oriental with a very heavy-handed brandied plum jam note. It's quite intimidating when initially sprayed (on skin), but settles nice and really clings on. Sillage and longevity are a beast on me. It would pair beautifully with Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan, would knock socks off!

Mauboussin EDP is so good. Spicy, gourmand (to me). In the style of Cartier Baiser Du Dragon but not as dry. Just perfect for Autumn. Good longevity but does not project too far to be bothersome. Great value and such a secret. Nobody around me knows about Mauboussin. Perfect.
Tip: For a special experience, layer this under Lalique Satine. Gorgeous.

This is an amazing perfume..! Smells so beautifully and I am very demanding when it comes to fragrances.
I was looking for this smell for years just didn't know that it was this particular fragrance...
If you like Dolce Vita, Samsara, Laura Biagiotti "Venezia", Yves Rocher "Cantate" and similar fragrances, then you will love Mauboussin. And also, it has nothing in common with Chanel or Angel (thanks God)..
To be honest, for me it even beats all above mentioned fragrances.
Not sure why it is classified as chypre, I never like chypre, but it smells like balsamic oriental and personally on me it's a mix of vanilla+sandalwood notes being most prominent.
Also, not every fragrance is authentic and usually fragrances with quiet sharp notes are a sign of being counterfeit, so be careful where you are purchasing it ( so maybe that's why some people get sharply smelling fragrance)
However, I've got to mention that also it depends very much on your skin chemistry... When I sprayed it on cloth and also on the surface - it smells medicinal and sharp and the patchouli note is quiet prominent.
Yet when I sprayed on my skin -patchouli note is gone within 3 -5 mins and I am very happy about that, as on some people it is patchouli+cedar but on me it is vanilla+sandalwood blend.
Within 30 mins the fragrance turns into very creamy, soft and amazingly smelling cloud that surrounds you. And that was just 1 spray on my arm...
I am so lucky that this fragrance works well with my body chemistry and in a way I feel sorry for those for whom this fragrance doesn't work well with their body chemistry. They are missing a lot.
It's been couple of hours now and I went to compare how the fragrance smells on my scarf and how it smells on my skin - well, the difference is tremendous!! It's like 2 different fragrances!!. On the scarf it smells sharp, medicinal blend of patchouli+cedar ( and I don't like it), yet on my skin it smells amazing - it's soft and creamy vanilla+sandalwood blend ( and I absolutely love it). It's like absolutely 2 different fragrances. This tells me that I will need to wear it on my skin only ( and not spraying on my clothing)

HOW did I not know about this for twenty years? This stuff is fabulous! Very womanly, sexy, haunting fragrance with great longevity. The right man could wear it too - the kind of guy who can wear Coco Mademoiselle Intense. It simply smells GOOD. Wafts as you walk but not remotely headache inducing. I’m thrilled to have this in my rotation. Bonus - my husband loves it.

I'm surprised that this perfume is labelled above as Chypre/fruity. I would put it more in the oriental genre because to my nose it is deep and spicy.
I have owned a bottle of this for years and wear it when I want something rich, spicy and slightly boozy. Winter complements this fragrance because it is comforting and warm. To me, this walks alongside perfumes such as Coco Chanel, Salvador Dali EDP, and Estee Lauder Amber Mystique.
I think its underrated, it is heavy with a good projection and amazing longevity. The top notes, which I mentioned earlier fade away to reveal a soft and creamy base, almost addictive to the nose and the base notes stay pretty much the same as the heart of the scent.
I will never be without this perfume in my collection and I hope they dont' discontinue it. If you are a fan of 'big' perfumes aka 1980's, you will love this.

Mauboussin by Mauboussin is a bold fragrance with notes of plum, patchouli, peach, cedar and benzoin. Despite being marketed to women, I consider this a unisex fragrance. I sought out a sample of this fragrance due to its supposed similarity to Badgley Mischka EDP, (one of my favourite boozy peach scents).

Mauboussin and Badgley Mischka are similar in some ways, however, I find Mauboussin less fruity and more patchouli-dominant. The opening of Mauboussin was surprisingly sweet, syrupy and citrusy on my skin, however, the drydown was quick to develop, introducing a blend of dense patchouli and musky cedar, (which won't be everyone's cup of tea).

Mauboussin is a unique fragrance and not for the faint of heart. It's just as polarising as Thierry Mugler's Angel, as the patchouli accord is just as loud. Where I live, we are beginning to move into Spring and this fragrance isn't appropriate for the current sunny weather. I would recommend a few light sprays of Mauboussin on a cold Winter's evening to truly experience this fragrance's complexity.

Mauboussin has excellent longevity, lasting approximately seven hours on my skin. It can easily venture into 'overwhelming territory', so I do advise against over-spraying. I am not sure if this fragrance has been reformulated over the years, but a quick online search found that it is still in production and can be found for a great price.

To me a big disappointment. Strong when sprayed on but fades within 30 minutes to an hour. Had high hopes for this one especially because of the longevity of this parfume mentioned by a lot of users.
Besides the longevity I don't think it is a very nice smelling perfume. I realy don't know what I am smelling but it smells the same from the beginning till the end.
To me a boring perfume. Sorry, for everyone who loves it. Maby it's my chemistry. It was a blind buy and I wanted it for quite some time. Now I know. Maby it grows a bit on me but even if it does, the longevity is a problem.
The cap of the bottle was not made well and it didn't fit the bottle very well. I had to use a knife to open it because I could not get it of. It looks cheap.
The perfume is original and was sealed.

What I love most about this is the strong camphorous quality in the opening. It stays there as it dries down and the scent gets softer and cudlier. But I love that opening! The patchouli hits me smack in the face with vats of boozy fruit. I love to wear it to bed so I can really enjoy that boozy patchouli before I fall asleep. By morning it would have died down to a dirty vanilla which I love too.

Very long lasting on me. Easily 12 hours.

الباتشول
و كأنه كأسٌ من الخمر ..!!
..
فاكهة الكوجا المخمّرة
بحلاوتها المتوازنة ..!!
..
العنبر الباودري الدافئ
و دخان السحر ينبعث من حبّات اللبان
..
اي استحضارٍ هذا ..!!
ارواحٌ طيبة و شريرة .. زوال العقل
بفعل اللذة و الجمال .. يسقط الاقنعة
..
لتكشف الذئاب عن انيابها
و الماجنات عن مفاتنها
..
موبوسان
لذة سكرٍ ام زوال غشاوة

I should have paid closer attention to the notes before purchasing, particularly that patchouli, which I usually try to avoid.

I blind purchased this, because there were some comments about this perfume having a lipstick scent. While, this has a mishmash of lots of notes that could potentially create a lipstick scent, it's really difficult to distinguish the notes, or perhaps many were over-powered by the patchouli in here. I basically smell lots of patchouli and a bit of sandalwood, both which are used in incense sticks and something akin to what we smell in a buddhist temple in my country. This perfume makes me feel "holy" almost, but not the pure and fresh kind of holy. More like someone who'd just gone to the most intense blessing ceremony and sat in the front row for hours next to the forever burning incense sticks, and then felt nauseous.

I was dying to smell some rose, but didn't even smell a hint of it. This was a disappointing blind buy. This is classified as an "oriental" scent. In the "orient" no one prefers walking around smelling like incense sticks. Everyone I know who smelled Mauboussin mentioned incense and buddhist temple.

Scent: 3/10
Sillage: 9/10
Longevity: 8/10 (10-12 hours)

Mauboussin opens very earthy and to my nose, spicy. There is a strong correlation here to a “bonfire” type scent, fall burning leaves. For that reason I put this scent in the same vein of Barbara Bui, even a bit of Opium in there. Spicy fragrances are a hit and miss for me, depending on the notes it can be either tolerable or intolerable, but never truly loveable...linear spicy scents are not my favorite, there must be some type of fruit or floral in the mix to temper it. Luckily Mauboussin starts drying down into a beautiful, rich patchouli that smells like, yes I’m just going to say it...Angel. I know I can’t be alone here! This smells like a soapier version of Angel, but without the lasting power. Overall a perfume that finishes better than it starts.

A couple of weeks ago I bought this one online. The notes made me buy it blind.
When it came and I took the first sniff I was like: this remindes me of something I already own...

I loved it as soon as I sprayed it on. A fruity and soft spicy patchouli scent. And then it hit me: it is a little bit like Oriental Dream by Georges Rech but then more fruity.

It's soft and close to my skin, sillage and longevity are moderate. I love to touch up this one a few times during the day.

This review is for the original EDP, the purple box with silver on the bottom. I put two dabs of this on my wrist four hours ago and tried to wash it off twice and it's still there! This is not a safe blind buy. It's a very heavy, overbearing scent. I get no fruit or spice just a very "perfumey" smell. It reminds me of a perfume my mom had when I was a kid but I can't put my finger on it. I'm sorry to say it's one of the nastiest smelling perfumes I have ever smelled. It has that "old lady" powdery smell. It's giving me a headache. Gotta cut down on the blind buys, luckily it was only a mini and not a full bottle.
Edit..if anyone wants to swap a mini for a mini and are in the US, PM me.

Mauboussin is another perfume that has taken on a larger than life personality for me. I first tried it as a sample about 8 years ago, wore it to a masquerade ball. It seemed very smoky and boozy, just right in that sort of decadent party atmosphere. A woman in the crowd followed me to inquire what perfume I was wearing because she enjoyed the trail of it so very much. Years later I obtained a full bottle and began wearing it when I wanted to make a statement. The plum and patchouli combination was very prominent and even though this really is a cold weather fragrance, I wore it on the hot muggy summer nights when I had taken on a new lover. The scent of Mauboussin lingered in his bed sheets for days and kept me on his mind. Something about this is sweet and yet dangerous, like gasoline made out of vanilla. Eventually the love affair ended, changed rather into a close friendship complete with the ups and downs that come from having once been lovers. I still have that bottle of Mauboussin but to wear it now is bittersweet. I still love how it smells but it reminds me of those hot July nights and makes me a bit melancholy. I recommend this to anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd and create a lasting impression.

completely unique and lovely; smokey tonka, peach and benzoin with patch and cedar in the base

This perfume is gregarious and gorgeous, appropriate for day and night.....but I would say more suitable for a sophisticated night party.

I just got 50mL from my sister Claire, the bottle is almost full and I am very thankful for Maboussin, for they don't stock it in our local store anymore. For months these treasures were on sale, collecting dust in the store. Our people are being fed a diet of too much hype from celebrity perfumes and "celebrity designer" houses which have many expensive hit and miss fragrances in my opinion.

I get all of the top notes off the bat. Strong and bold, but do not fear....it dries down beautifully to that lovely powder and wood that I adore. This is beautiful. The peach is rather boozey, I think! I really appreciate this fragrance. And I smell the yellow cherries too.

I am so INTRIGUED by Fragrantica members who voted and put the top tier of this pyramid at the bottom! Wow. To me this perfume maintains the integrity of a strong fruity top, a floral heart moving to a sophisticated warm spicy, woody and powdery drydown. I'm keeping this, this is good French perfume. Its not syrupy sweet and I rather it to "La Vie Est Belle:" The ambery coloured liquid is gorgeous too! Enjoy.

This is just amazing, but not for everyone. It's very strong and lasts long. With an oriental touch. I love the combination of plum and amber that makes it special.

Currient eau de toilette Mauboussin is so much better then the edp . I have both but I enjoy edt more . All year round very heady scent , just not for everyone ...

I had an EDP sample of this, and it came across as very medicinal- like Carmex lip salve. Something about it still intrigued me, so I went for a 100ml full bottle. I have the all purple box with ONE silver star/bird on the top right corner.

Way less medicinal when worn! It's not super strong, and I am grateful for that for once. Syrupy spicy fruit, jam, amber, patchouli, dries down to a smooth sweet elixir. Similar to Angel in some ways... if you like Angel but the cotton candy and HEAVY patchouli is just too much-- this may work. It's like Angel and Poison had a sister who isn't annoying, in your face, and always leaves the party before getting thrown out. ;)

My review is based on Extrait and EDP in 2/3 purple top - 1/3 silver bottom - red interior box with Place Vendôme address, which I assume is the original version based on reviewer weegee's information.

The EDP opens with a blast of plum and mirabelle. They are intensely syrupy and saturated with sugar, which occasionally remind me of the jammy mirabelle note in Givenchy Dahlia Divin. But when amber and earthy patchouli soon burst into the scene, these stone fruits become much more boozy and medicinal, as if someone poured a bottle of plum liqueur on a floor covered with mold and dirt. The combination of boozy plum and bitter, dirt-like patchouli is indeed reminiscent of Annick Goutal Mon Parfum Chéri, par Camille like reviewer mrsg34 mentioned, but Mauboussin EDP is less dry and austere, and is instead more enveloping thanks to the caramel warmth of benzoin.

I have a low tolerance of boozy plum amber, so the initial phase of Mauboussin EDP is quite difficult for me. But once the booziness and the almost sticky syrupy texture calm down after about 3 hours, the fragrance achieves a wonderful balance between dry woody and opulent oriental, with the medicinal and slightly ozonic patchouli being the central force to keep the sweetness of plum and amber in check.

I can see the reference to Mugler Angel because of its earthy and almost sharp patchouli undercutting the rich sweetness, Cartier Le Baiser du Dragon because of both being unapologetically boozy, Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant because of the strong plum note. But Mauboussin is still quite different in smell, because Angel has a much sharper contrast between fierce patchouli and gourmand chocolate while Mauboussin tends to unite them in harmony right from the beginning, Cartier is more almond-y while Mauboussin is dominated by plum liqueur, and Kenzo is much drier and spicier while Mauboussin seems mellower and more resinous in character.

The Extrait has an overall similar olfactory profile with EDP on my skin, but the evolution from boozy plum to the amber patchouli woody oriental dry down takes almost 6 hours instead of 3 hours, and the plum feels more ripe, more luscious and even more boozy, with a more noticeable unctuous caramel undercurrent.

The sillage of both concentration are heavy to moderate, with EDP lasting for at least 14 hours and Extrait up to 18 hours on my skin.

Despite its glowing reviews, I would incline to consider Mauboussin as a quite polarising fragrance and would suggest against blind buying: its concentrated plum liqueur opening can be cloying and its medicinal, bitter patchouli can be interpreted as brash. However, if you enjoy these two aspects and are looking for a rich woody oriental adorned with lavish stone fruits, Mauboussin is definitely worth a try.

This fragrance to me is a soft and lovely, very easy to wear. It gets compliments but the longevity is poor. I choose it on days that I don't have any strong desires to wear something with more personality. It a great all rounder. I wear it day or night but prefer the cooler days. I would recommend it in your wardrobe. It would be fine for an office or close proximity environment.

I am wonder-stricken how this has no voting for it's resemblance to Angel. Or is it just my nose? I will initiate the voting, hopefully my nose is not going crazy of the flu, cause I am really loving Mauboussin so far.

My favorit. Very original bitter opening, medicine like. Very strong and long lasting, I'v put it off two weeks ago a it still smells from my wardrobe. The sweet milky vanilla can irritate somebody's stomache, yes. I dislike all the modern chocolate and candy parfumes today but surprisingly love this one, smart composition.

This is awfull. Got it as a blind buy. Smells like toilet refreshiner, instantly got a headache. This is the worst scent yet, even Gloria Wanderblit is better. DO NOT buy this as a blind buy. The one I got is a clear bottle with brown juice, clear-silver cap. If you like sweeter parfume, florals, then this is not for you.

I've reviewed this several times and deleted the reviews as none seemed adequate. I completely agree with courant in that this is a grand dame, and requires time to bloom. It opens with loads of almost over-ripe fruit with the plum being dominant. At the onset it is almost too powdery, but this becomes more gentle with time. (The lotion is way too powdery to my nose.) This perfume lasts forever and has great projection. Don't think I could wear it everyday, and have worn it mostly in the evening during the fall and winter months. It is truly lovely, and I have stocked the closet with probably too many bottles due to depletion fear! It is a beauty.

Already reviewed, so here is an addendum. The review by Christine is accurate regarding the oxidation in the spray needle. I almost disposed of a bottle, fearing that it had turned.
Let's not forget this is a discontinued perfume and it is discounted online. That doesn't mean the perfume was 'cheap', it is 'inexpensive'.

The fragrance takes half an hour to settle on skin, after that it is one of my most complimented fragrances, especially in winter where its sillage is very lovely. Don't overspray it, it is a bit of grande dame, and you won't always be in the mood for it, but when you are it's a bit of a heartbreaker.

Beautiful i can tell it s first time that one perfume is beautifull from the begining to the end note
The dryed down on me it s between jungle and shalimar so for those who want and love the oriental scent dont hesitate you will be surprised like i was .
Very spicy with long last and beautifull sillage
I will purchase the vintage one the price is low for the quality
The rewiew is about the reformulated one

Good discovery.if i could i would keep it secret if sôme ask me what it is
So beautifull it s like a a dream to find this .

A huge no for me.I am just happy i blind bought only a 15ml bottle.For my nose is the worst fragrance ever,I red that oxides quickly and i have to spray 2-3 times before trying it.I am scared :-) but i will try that in a couple of days cause now my nose is traumatized.

When I first received this bottle, I sprayed it a few times and wrote it off as a terrible reformulation. That's not correct. The current Mauboussin formula oxidizes quickly and the stuff in the spray tube has usually gone stale. Give it a few sprays to clear the tube and you get something totally different.

Once the spray tube is cleared, the juice is lovely and a lot like you might remember it. The plum and Mirabelle get it off to a smoothly fruity start, followed by some jasmine and rose. Then you get to the dry down where Mauboussin really shines - patch, vanilla, amber, sandalwood. When people say that they get a Guerlain vibe, it's in the dry down which is evocative of Mitsouko and Parure. There's also a deep tobacco smokiness - a note I generally don't like, but it works perfectly here.

If you're disappointed in Mauboussin, I suggest spraying it enough to discharge what's in the spray tube. It's so much better than the first, stale sprays might indicate.

I agree with what a lot other reviewers have already mentioned: this definitely doesn't smell as cheap as it is. I have no idea whether my sample is for the current version or vintage: the former is more likely, but the latter also seems quite possible given how rich and strong this is, and how different from most mainstream scents, especially the cheap ones.
In fact, it reminds me of a couple of scents that are at least three or four times as expensive: Daim Blond from Serge Lutens, and Une Rose de Kandahar by Tauer. It has that same velvet-smooth texture that immediately calls to mind suede, even though no leather note is mentioned, which must be the way the resins and patchouli come out in this case. I'm not complaining! And just like in the two niche fragrances, this slightly dusty suede vibe is combined in the same wonderful way with sweet, rich, boozy stone fruits - only it's various kinds of plums in this one, instead of apricot. It might be a little less subtle than the other ones, but it's also possible that I'm just telling myself that to avoid regretting the money I spent on them. In any case, it makes for a very nice result all in all, comfortable and at the same time rather sophisticated in an interesting way.
I think it would work especially well on colder days; it's perfect for this particular gray day in spring. And it lasts all day as well, even with decent projection! I got this sample quite by accident, but what a nice surprise it turned out to be...definitely worth testing if you're looking for a budget scent that doesn't smell like one!

Sampling from a gifted decant, thanks alex, i find this very complex and quite niche smelling. Sticky thick opening which conveys the plum and peach. There is a medicinal vibe which i feel a bit uncomfortable with, i much prefer the drydown where the patch and resins come out. Im going to keep trying this because part of me is really drawn to this but its not an instant love.

Mauboussin is the magic elixir.I can see why it's not for everyone. It DOES have a distinct medicinal vibe and there are a rare few of us that love that in a scent. I happen to be one of those weirdos. Mauboussin is all about rich sticky fruits, amber and resin leading into sweet vanilla, patch and ceder. This could be too much for some, but I love being enveloped in this rich, boozy, intoxicating cloud of scent. For me, Maubaussin is a love.

Un oriental très capiteux et légèrement gourmand: sur moi ce sont les notes de prune, ambre et patchouli qui ressortent.
Un parfum sensuel, féminin et envoûtant.
Ses notes très chaudes le réservent plutôt à l'hiver.
Ne pas en abuser, il est bien présent, très bonne tenue.
On peut le trouver à petit prix et le flacon est joli, il faut tourner le haut pour pschitter le parfum, original.

I tested Today. very very special.for stylish women

This is just PERFECT. Breathtakingly beautiful. I have the current formulation, with the full silver top, and I dread to imagine what the vintage can be like because the beauty of the new one is enough to put me into a trance.

After opening the plastic foil a little, before even opening the bottle itself for the first time, you already catch a whiff, it is so potent!

For me it is like a magical brew, spicy, sweet and heady, smoky, balsamic, amazing juice. Very deep, hot, and somewhat boozy, like sweet plum liqueur which caresses your senses and intoxicates without you noticing it. The sweetness is never aggressive and sharp as with so many contemporary creations. You smell a rich abundance of stewed fruit and dark spices in the style of Aziyade, Elephant, Le Baiser du Dragon, or Mirage. Even in this weather, I don't feel cold when wearing it. It lasts long with just one spray, which is a rarity on me. And the price is very low for this quality.

I brought my new bottle home back in October, opened it, smelled it, and proceeded to order a backup immediately.

I never tried the original, so I can only tell you my impressions on the current version.
Which is super lovely. It's like autumn in a bottle. It has a delicious note of plum running through the scent, with peach, jasmine and ylang-ylang. it shares some characteristics with Carla Fracci's Giselle- this sort of almost honeyed ylang'ylang in the drydown.
This scent is not really very modern, it has year 2000 written all over it. It has that sweet quality of floral-fruity fragrances that I kind of associate with Sophia Grojsman's creations. It is however so cosy, so charming, so well done and so delicious, that I wear it with pleasure.
I got a few compliments on it on the first few days of wearing it, while most of the scents I wear never get noticed. On the cold day this smells delightful on a scarf wrapped around your neck.

@lanuitblanche Unfortunately I couldn't agree more with your comment about the new reformulated version. It is absolutely atrocious, I could not even give it away. Nobody wanted it, everybody I tried to pass it on to was repulsed by it. I finally ended up throwing it away... such a waste. Blind buyers please be advised to stay away from the new version: silver cap and silver band under it - it is a waste of money. Trust me it has nothing to do with the old version.

Indiana Jones of Perfumes

First impression is very astringent and masculine thanks to sharp sage like smell with a woody base and panic sets in. I feel like Avatar hero when he lost a fire white deterring ferocious predators and he is plunged into night darkness in the depth of forest, his senses on high alert. Once his eyes get used to the darkness, he discovers shapes, softness, buzzing of fireflies, fluorescent mushrooms, and a quiet yet varied beautiful world is slowly revealed to him, his panic subdues and he starts admiring. A very soft sweetness start emerging through the perfume and it feels like a cook tries to sweeten it up with dry fruits to tone down too astringent/woody smell. Like in cooking, the flavours blends and develops. Astringency goes to hover in the background, leaving you alone. Some balm sweetness from incense/vanilla/patchouli with a few drops of amber ( a bit hard to distinguish) starts emerging like a lotus and blooms emanating gentle smell. Somewhere nearby vanilla flowers opens, gets slightly powdered and it's getting more stronger. Later it smells like someone in a far distance is warming up dry fruits (raisins/prunes) soaked in a cognac. Vanilla frangrance linger nearby soothing, alluring, warming but never overpowering...There are no sweet flowers, no chocolate at all. It's all happening under darkness of a dry starry night with a dew setting as night progress towards dawn in enhanced fragrance of wood, incense, patchouli. I wanted to say it was a quiet dry fragrance sitting close to skin when my boyfriend entered a room started sniffing saying that he could smell something like vanilla fruitcake. This perfume takes you on a journey starting with a fear and panic but ending in peaceful meditation with you radiating mellow inner glow. You will not impress but intrigue others a lot. It's an unique fragrance and I smell no similarity with Angel whatsoever. Maybe, there is a tiny resemblance of sugared patchouli/poppies of kenzo flowers at the end. You cannot compare it with anything because it evolves itself and had its own story. It's like a book you will treasure if you manage to reach to the end with a happy sigh. The longevity is long enough to enjoy it over several hours but alas not all day.

Dolce prugna in apertura, ambra e patchouli nel fondo. La classe in un profumo. Stupendo.

This scent is an enigma. I don't know how to review it..i have never been so torn about a decision since University when a friend suggested playing swappsies. There is something I find pleasant and something insufferable, I suspect it's Benzoin or the huge quantity of it which tars the whole of the composition with a rather oily/rubbery/plasticky toxicity which is a pity because I loved the spicy, fruity beginning! 4 hours later(yes,it is persistent so if you don't like it you are stuffed for a very long time....)vanilla, fruits and Amber mellow a bit the initial benzoic blast but the annoying note is still perceptible and overpowers every other note. Perhaps if instead of benzoin one used resins, but I can't say I dislike it either, i can see how it can polarise opinions. This is the Tracy Emin of the perfume world. I will leave it aside and go back to it after a while, there is the potential for a great love there..(my bottle is exactly like the one in the picture).

This smells of leather and tobacco, two notes I don't see at all. Oh dear, how confusing. Regardless, I love it.

This smells like gasoline and rotting stems steeped in bourbon. Be very careful about which bottle/box you purchase, because the version I received is one of the worst perfumes I have ever smelled (and this is the first time I am posting anything extremely negative!).

Mine came in a purple box with a single silver star/bird on the upperright-hand corner, and the top of the box is silver. The bottle is clear glass (not holographic), with an all-silver cap, and the juice is a dark amber color. The address on the box and the bottom of the bottle says: Mauboussin, LORIENCE PARIS, 50, Avenue de la Grand Armee 75017 Paris France.

DO NOT purchase this version. It is seriously sickening. My hunt for the original version will continue.

Reading these reviews, it's obvious that people perceive this fragrance differently. Mauboussin is so complex, so deep and develops so much, no wonder we can't agree! Anyway I will offer my two pennies, hoping that it can help someone. I have the newer version Edp, purple box and single silver star; the juice is ambery brown and feels thick when first applied. The first thing I smell is Angel, but bear with me; this is Angel reformulated to fit me. I have tried to wear Angel in different iterations, Garden of the Stars, summer editions and so on. I think the type of patchouli Mugler uses is the culprit, but lo and behold the body cream works on me, which brings me to the review at hand. Mauboussin is the spray version of the Angel body cream, it's sweet and complex without the jarring Mugler patchouli note. It starts with a tart and almost boozy plum and berries accord which develops very quickly into an ambery flowery oriental. Just when you think that the awesome opening is done, Mauboussin does a 180 and there it is again, the fruits are back but they are accompanied by the patchouli and amber. The back and forth goes on for a while, and it is so entertaining that I wish the heart lasted longer... The drydown is a very unexpected vanilla orchid powdery musk, almost almondy in its tenderness. It's hard to understand why a brand that produces such bold and daring fragrances treads so timidly and does nothing to promote its perfume line, given the bottles and the juices are outstanding!

I received the purple box with the dark perfume after deliberating about buying this for some time. First spray reminded me of something I couldn't quite put my finger on and then it hit me Annick goutal mon parfum cherie camomile! It was the dominant plum note, divine! A medicinal aura then Amber and patchouli come into play and it smells different but beautiful. Eventually it settles into a sandlewoody vanilla with good longevity. It's certainly an Autumn/ winter fragrance for me but what shocks me about this one is the price, it smells much more expensive than it was! It's a new love for me :)

Mauboussin is a winter companion. It's warm,spicy and a bit on the bitter smokey side. I think of it like a cross between volupte or tresor and tabu (which i didn't like at all long time ago and i need to change my review for that ,it really grows on you with time...)it's mature and not for the very young ages. I believe that 25+ ages can support this perfume given the circumstances ,style and character.

Just got this recently and tried. Mine is the older version, as in the picture. It is mostly dry smoked prunes and leather. Yes, maybe from this smokiness I definitely get leather which is not in the notes. It is a very unusual perfume. It's moderately sweet, very calm, smoky, cosy and deep.

To my mind, it's a perfect unisex fragrance. Actually husband said he would wear it. Great for autumn and winter and just cooler days.

UPD: The husband now totally made it his own and I love it on him! So I can say now the projection is actually very decent, moderate to heavy. The longevity is great, 7-12 hours on skin. This is a winner, no doubts!

This is such a Unique, gorgeous, sexy scent. The Plum is boozy like a fine brandy mixed with a hint of Amaretto & Vanilla Extract. It's classy & confident. The thick Benzoin, Amber, Sandalwood & Patchouli meld so well & linger on. Classy & Classic. Not for everyone, but I adore it!!

There are different bottles for this Amazing fragrance. I have 2 of them (Both EDP). 1 is the Silver with Purple stars. This one is lighter in color, smells a bit lighter, but has a touch of medicinal scent to it. One is darker in color & smells richer. Both have the same zip code 75016 on the bottom.

Looking forward to getting the one with the Purple on top with Silver strip on the Lower.


**Update-Ordered the One with Purple on Top & Silver strip. I was really looking forward to it, but received a different EDP box. It's all Purple with 1 star & top is Silver . This one has another zip code 75017. It smells closer to the other darker one I have.

I'm not an expert on scents and notes, so I will give you my first impression of this perfume in lay mans terms.

Firstly, I was impressed by the bottle. It's a simple pyramidal design which looks good on a dressing table. It's not a bottle you can slip discretely into your purse, it's definitely designed to be displayed in the boudoir.

So, after reading many reviews which mentioned how strong it was, I cautiously sprayed the inside of my arm. But my initial excitement suddenly turned to horror. I was shocked! I thought 'no!', 'how can this be?'...because the first smell reminded me of the cheapest, nastiest supermarket imitation perfumes mixed with the worst kind of 'old lady' powderyness. My heart sank...

Then a very unusual thing happened. Suddenly, without ANY warning, the scent mysteriously unwrapped itself like an exquisitely ribboned velvet box of ancient treasures.

My heart started racing! It was like experiencing a long forgotten alchemy. This scent seemed to have a life of its own. Like a powerful seductress, she (yes, such was the impact that I now refer to this sent as a 'she')slowly unveiled layer after delicious layer of her most intimate self. This scent was alive and had it's own rhythm of tantalizing elegance.

The first trail of scent was a surprising combination of marzipan steeped in a sweet cherry liqueur. Occasionally, I could detect a passing trail of Turkish delight with a dark cocoa. Earthier tones slowly uncoiled under this subtle sweetness, it reminded me of the heavy scent of a saturated woodland after a thunderstorm.

At one point, I thought it had reached its final transformation and settled into a scent which was a mix of Coco by Chanel and Shalimar by Guerlain. But, yet again, it began to move further. It reminded me of North Africa. Those mysterious combinations of resins, exotic spices and cigars. I immediately remembered the powerful smell of a pure rose ground incense I once bought from a Bedouin woman in Muscat. I remembered how her deeply kohl penciled eyes and long, elegant hands presented this incense like it was retrieved from the garden of the gods.

It has ruined perfumes for me, for I will always measure all other perfumes against this. I can now never settle for anything less than this alchemy.

Mauboussin is not just a perfume. It is a secret. It is the seemingly lost art of capturing a genie in a bottle.

Review for Mauboussin Mauboussin EDT

I'm still quite unsure about this perfume, probably because it doesn't really suit me. I would recommend this one for lovers of medicinal fragrances!

Mauboussin smells like an oriental to me. The opening is characterised by that 'perfumey' plum scent coupled with a boozy cough syrup (that doesn't last for very long). Amber and benzoin make their presence felt as well, and it's a little medicinal, but always smooth, which makes it easy to like. The dry-down is woodier, and it starts to become even more medicinal in the base, which I think is the patchouli or the benzoin here; but it's well-blended, rich, round, deep and sweet throughout.

A heavy to moderate sillage; longevity is for about 6-7 hours. I tried to wear this in the summer but I didn't want it anywhere near me - far too heavy and cloying, so for some, this scent is for use only in the cooler months :)

Heavy, deep and complex. It has quite a sharp opening and you need to wait 10 minutes to get the scent properly. Patchouli, Amber and Woods dominate this one, lifted by the fruits with the plum lending it depth. After about an hour I get the Cedar. I do not smell any Vanilla and this is not a sweet scent at all on me. I have the EDP and it is a strong scent with great sillage and longevity.

My first impressions of this perfume were that it smelled like plum cough sweets but then it settles down into a sweet leathery patchouli. Someone voted this as reminding them of Venezia, which is why I blind-bought this. It smells nothing like Venezia but I'm not completely disappointed. The fragrance is wearable because the sillage is heavy but the fragrance is nothing to get excited about.

(Thanks to Yohji for sample :))

I'm definitely reminded of Cartier's Le Baiser du Dragon and @yohji also got that similarity. I completely agree - not amaretto boozy, but like a rich plum liquer. It has that similar slightly unisex feel, but comforting, like a cosy fire on a cold day

This is slightly lighter, maybe sweeter, but still rich, almost chocolaty - very dark chocolate. The pluminess is also rich, yet tart. Benzoin is doing its thing of making this warm and rounded, but the patchouli and woods give it a pleasant rougher darker edge, so that the sweetness is balanced.

It's absolutely suited to Autumn - maybe ideally September since that's harvest time, when you'd collect plums and make them into a delicious crumble or jam.

I like gourmand-ish perfumes when they have depth, this is grounded and quite lovely, probably friendlier in tone than Nagel's inspiration, which was apparently Feminite du Bois but with a completely different 'take'. I think FdB has higher quality ingredients, but Mauboussin is a lovely perfume.

Almost makes me look forward to autumn, but it's a bit heavy for late June!

Longevity excellent, lasted over night. Sillage medium to strong, I'd wear it with a light hand unless in colder weather in the evening

This reminds me in spirit of vintage Shalimar, worn by a distinguished older lady with class and strength and a glorious bygone but lingering sexiness. Intense, oriental, passionate but composed. It's far too mature for me in my mid thirties, but I love it as it reminds me of the woman I wish to be in thirty years..

Mauboussin is like Cacharel LouLou Lite on me. The benzoin, plum, and patch combine in a similar way on me, creating that doll's head plastic smell. LouLou, however, is much more medicinal on me, so I find Mauboussin more wearable. I consider LouLou intriguing and an integral part of a perfume collection, yet I don't really like it. It challenges me like an ugly work of modern art I struggle to appreciate. I haven't quite made up my mind about Mauboussin yet.

One of the most beautiful scents for me. It starts with plums brandy, quite sharp, but later its amber soft and warm, oriental and fruity, but not sweet. I want to melt in this :)

Glenn Miller might turn in his grave. The sound of swing became firmly established in 1939 as war engulfed the world. Mauboussin Jewellers of Place Vendome in Paris were celebrating their 100 year anniversary and it stayed within the family until 2002. Two years before the sale Christine Nagel had been commissioned to create a perfume worthy of the Mauboussin reputation, which now carried a 160 year tradition and was as recognisable in France as Tiffanys is in New York. (Shame that Tiffanys bought the French Crown Jewels)

Today Christine Nagel sits with Jean Claude Ellena in the Hermes Bleachers, where her Eau de Cartier is simpatico with the transparent Ellena style.. Is she proud of Mauboussin? In a published interview Ms Nagel said she would have given her life's work, her eye teeth, her soul to the devil (you see, I forget exactly) to have created Feminite du Bois.....perhaps Mauboussin may have been her sincerest form of flattery, given that she would never have imitated it too openly. Plum, woods, patchouli, amber, and rose are all to be found in this delectable darling which morphs beautifully into French élan from its caramel beginning. I love it. It's the full orchestra, everything but the kitchen sink, but dang, it works, just like Glenn Miller's big band. I want a boned corset with a big taffeta lined dance skirt. I want to be in the mood to wear Mauboussin. If you have perfume eating skin, if you don't mind getting a glow on, letting music fill the air, in the shank of the night, when the doin' is right this is for you and you can tell 'em I'll be there.

Not my favorite. It brings to mind rumba balenciaga, I suppose because of plum note. I use to wear rumba in the nineties as a consequence of an impulse buy. In fact I left a half bottle of rumba in my mom's bathroom :-}
So, aside the plum, I can smell something sticky in Mauboussin... I mean a kind of plastic thing... Benzoin with ylang ylang? Maybe. I think I will wear this fragrance rarely, just for break up sometimes.

I had such high hopes for this...but as soon as it hit my skin it was skunk, about a minute later it was a hint of plum and skank in the background and then it disappeared. Disappointed.

Awesomeness. Moreish and so full-bodied, that you want to lose yourself somewhere in that middle amber-phase, like in soft purple eastern cushions. Its oriental-fruity-yummy, not similar yet in same direction where Dragon of Cartier resides. They both oily and oh-so-smooth, but Dragon is Amaretto while Mauboussin is a plum-liquor.
The old version is way better, no surprises here, so if you can - try to buy with box which looks exactly like on this page, (purple divided with silver lines) not completely purple with the stars from the front-right corner one.

Really, really beautiful. The opening is, as others have mentioned, quite "plummy". It's a wonderful smell, but the dry-down is really where Mauboussin shines. The fragrance shares all but three of its notes with Tabu, and this is pretty evident as it settles; on my skin I get an near-exact duplicate, minus the civet and spices (my mother, a long-time Tabu devotee, agrees). It is, in a word, gorgeous. Silage is good, as is longevity. At less than $40 for a 3oz bottle (and what a bottle!), Mauboussin is a Must-Have for collectors who favor orientals. A+++

Enjoyable. If you like plummy and you like Orientals, you will probably like this one. And personally, I do like plum. It's not a love affair, at least not on my end, but I know I'll come back and visit again and stay for tea and have a pleasant time. This is a first impression review but I am left wanting to learn more. It's a really nice price for a full bottle, too.

just got it today. another blind buy. what can i say? my first impression was something between disappointment and feeling let it be. citrus with something else. something between vanilla (?) sweet. like my daughter's Wish or Mugler Angel. but after about 30-40 minutes i felt it on me. and it is gorgeous. Sweet but far away from vanilla. balsamic - yes. oriental - yes. heavy - probably.
i have to admit, i like it. not sure for how much i like it but at least i know i will wear it.

They reformulated this one, too!?!?! Is there anything those con artists will not eff-up ... I mean, reformulate? And no, don't give any hypocritical, mealymouthed excuse about the environment.

Anyway, sorry about the rant, but I feel very strongly about this reformulation nonsense.

I have the original version of this and it is sublime. On me it's sweet (not candy-floss sweet) and oriental. Just the way I like my perfumes to be. I am so happy to know I have the original. It was a blind buy.

The top notes are almost killing it for me. Every time I apply it I can`t believe that I didn`t put it on my swap list yet. But after two hours I realize why it is still on my shelf. Then it turns into this pleasant, dusty, deep thing. Almost a little leathery. I love it in spring when the sun is hiding behind clouds and it feels like it`s about to rain, but it`s not.

Like attempt to treat a hangover from plum brandy with vanilla ice cream, endless portion. I don’t feel it like warm scent.
I’d say it is neither chypre nor aldehydic. The only vintage feature is the process from sharp top to very mild and feminine base.

This was a blind buy I initially didn't like ,I always give perfume a chance, since it can change on you, from mood to season.I started to understand it & grew to really enjoy it! So I read up on it a little & found out there is a pure extrait version of this beauty & I knew I had to get it! Wow!! It's so smooth, I'm in love!! The bottle is in silver in a little purple box, if you enjoy the edt or the edp, I definitely suggest you try to get your hands on this, you won't be sorry!

Hello All, I see that a lot of Fragrantica members are acquainted with this fragrance, so I have one question important from my perspective, as I just consider a blind buy of EDP after reformulation:

Does this one have many resemblances with old vintage perfumes like Chanel 19, 5, Gres Cabochard, Y by YSL or Bob Mackie?, I know these represent different genres, but I am searching for neither noble chypres nor vintage aldehydes with heavy, dry flowers, but rather a sweet, ripe fruits' explosion in the accompaniment of some spices and heavier accords, yet still bringing modern feelings.

I would highly appreciate anybody's opinion on this matter.

delizioso. prugna, patchouli e ambra, con assestamento su note di tabacco e benzoino. la bottiglia tetraedrica fa l'occhiolino al chimico che c'è in me

WHY DOES THIS SMELL LIKE MENTHOL?? And rubber?? So unusual!!

Thanks Weegee for the reference it helped me to find an original.
I Think that should be done on all pages if you have any details on the fragrances please fragrantican's please share it was such a good reference.
Now the fragrance i have the original EDT and this is another fantastic freak show of a fragrance. Totally unisex because its very medicinal from the patchouli but more so the benzoin. The top notes have a light plum that is blended well with amber that continuosly wafts back and forth with the benzoin and patchouli. But this fragrance is all about the benzoin. The benzoin makes this very resinous. This stuff is thick..i love that because i know its going to last and project. And this one projects and is smooth and even minty like Vicks. It reminds me of the same family of Midnight Poison but without the vanilla of Poison..its not an exact but a family reference and feel. You have to be into medicinal fragrances to like this and i do so this is such a treat...I can't imagine the newer versions not smelling like this.I think you should definitely test this cause this is a love or hate fragrance not to be blind bought..but if you love vintage or stronger older fragrances this is a must in anyone's collection.Bottle is really kool too.

I can only imagine that Mauboussin is plagued by comparisons to Angel because of the strong patchouli note.
This fragrance does not really have anything in common with Angel aside from patchouli.
I actually find the plum note in here to be sour. I'm guessing because it's yellow plum/mirabelle. I like it. Plum notes can often take on a syrupy, grape soda type smell and there is none of that here.
Aside from the patchouli and plum, benzoin really stands out. The amber is of the smoky variety, not the heavy vanillic sort. Again, thank you Mauboussin for keeping this from going all "sticky".
Overall a deep, earthy Oriental fragrance. Oriental seems to often be a "catch all" term where I'm left thinking "uhhh what.. this smells like cookies.. Oriental?" but this is not the case here.
And yes, the patch is on the dirty/woody side so this is not one for the faint of heart.
This is for the original reformulation. The bottle I have came in the purple box without stars/birds.

@Maylone, I have both versions of Mauboussin and can give you the information about the boxes.

The box that is purple on the top 2/3 with a silver band around the bottom 1/3 is the original formulation. The inside of this box is red. The address on the bottom of the box is: Mauboussin Parfums, 20, place Vendome, 75001, Place Vendome, Paris France. My edp bottle in this box has the rainbow/iridescent glass. This original formula is getting difficult to find and is always more expensive. I find it "thicker" and much more complex and smooth than the newer formulation, with none of the sharpness some have mentioned.

You have the newer version. The silver box with purple stars/birds is the eau de parfum and the reversed purple box with silver stars/birds is the eau de toilette. The inside of these boxes is white. On the bottom of these boxes is this address: Lorience Paris, 64, rue de Ranelagh, 75016, Paris France. My edt and edp bottles in these boxes are clear glass, not the rainbow/iridescent glass. Brick & mortar stores and most on-line sellers have ONLY these boxes now so you should have no difficulty getting the version you already have and like.

Edit: My newer bottles (both edt and edp) have all silver caps. My bottle of edp with the Place Vendome address on the bottom of the box does NOT have the purple band on the bottle either, so it's apparently a 2nd, not the first formulation. Still, I find all 3 quite beautiful.

Edit 2/29/20: If you're looking for the original in the box that is purple on the top 2/3 with a silver band around the bottom 1/3 be aware that the bottom of the box must have this printed on the bottom: Mauboussin Parfums, 20, place Vendome, 75001, Place Vendome, Paris France. Apparently Selective Beauty also used the box that is purple on the top 2/3 with a silver band around the bottom 1/3. Before purchasing be sure to ask the seller to verify whether Selective Beauty or Mauboussin is printed on the bottom.

Can anyone explain to me why there are, at least, three different looking boxes for this perfume? I have the silver box with purple stars on it and I've seen a reverse box of this, then there is the box that has a purple upper half with silver on the lower. They all seem to be EDP's, so I have no idea why there's such different packaging. I want to get another bottle of what I have, but I'm unsure wether I need to search for the same box or not? Maybe it's not uncommon for there to be different packaging for the same perfume and I'm just now being confused by it!

New version is but a memory of the descriptions of the vintage version. The one I have has a sharp aldehyde blast, then warms with skin and develops into a cloyingly sweet ylang-ylang enveloped in plastic note, then there's plum-scented powder. No musk, no amber, no patchouli, no spice. Then all fragrance vanishes entirely after 20 minutes. I wonder if the juice is inauthentic. The iridescent pyramid shaped-glass bottle is fantastic, however. I made the mistake of testing this on the left side pulse points and then applying the heavenly Queen Latifah's Queen on the right, and Queen was far and away the preferred — and despite costing half as much.

I bought a bottle of this juice on Amazon, per recommendation of many reviewers. Perhaps, it’s my sensitive nose, but this perfume is too sharp. The sharpness is like a knife cutting thru the beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Smells like Angel to me with patchouli drydown. pretty, longevity is a few hours on me, not like Angel that lasts a whole day. I imagine this perfume to be sweet floral. Finally got to test it. Nice, a keeper.

Mauboussin,I was finally able to sample, thanks to a swap. This scent is much too complex for me to describe properly, but I will give it a go. The opening first few minutes remind me very much of Cartier Le Baiser Du Dragon. Mauboussin then takes a turn for the dirty instead of the sweet, and this is where I can see the references to similarities of Shalimar.

A smoky incense heavy scent(even though I don't see incense listed) Benzoin and patchouli combined are maybe causing that reaction.This is dense, not smothering, but if over applied I can see where it could part a crowd. It has so many of my favorite notes and aspects. It's woodsy, a little boozy, and it kind of oozes over you.

At this point Mauboussin is a love for me, but now I do see why this would not be a safe blind buy. I am now on the hunt for a full bottle.

I've had this (EDT) for a few days (bought blind online) and still undecided on whether I like it. For me sweet tobacco, a dark fruitiness and long-lingering velvety cocoa are prominent. I did think softer Angel straightaway. On my skin the scent definitely improves as it settles...and it lasts for ages! Looking forward to trying it when it gets colder. Got a feeling it might be a grower!

Received this in a swap. I must say its quite the warm, spicy inviting scent! It will be a nice welcome to the upcoming fall season.. And the bottle is just beautiful.. Very simple but I love the spray top that turns to lock.. Can't stop smelling my wrist!...

This was a blind buy for me. I wanted to try it due to the good reviews on this site and a good deal on a perfume website. Wow what a lovely surprise. I was worried that the patchouli would be overwhelming. Not so as I found a beautiful woody, plummy smell. I bought the EDP and it is everything that I hoped it would be. It lasted about 6 hours on me which was good. Looking forward to wearing it now that the colder months are on the way. One of my more successful blind buys.

This is a great combination of patchouli&amber with some fruity undertones. I got some plum, but it is not your usual sweet / ripe plum here, it is dark and boozy, and not sweet at all. Perfume has a resinous quality as well, in my opinion, this is a very good composition. Sillage & staying power is quite good too (EDP)

Simply loving days when I am wrapped into this charming and such a lovely-gentle fragrance! At the dry-down phase it reminds me a bit the "8e jour" by Yves Roche. Love them both.

What is going on with all the positive reviews on this thing?? I feel like I'm in opposite land. Words like "pretty", "crowdpleaser", "creamy", "sweet", "yummy", "calm" are being thrown around. Say what now?? I have probably never sprayed something on my skin that smelled this revolting. This is not pretty, creamy, calm. This is a sour, bitter, harsh, LOUD mess, and just plain nasty. An epic fail on my skin. I'm sad because I really thought I would love this scent and even considered blind buying or swapping for it many times. All I can say is that I am very glad I got a chance to sample this from a lovely fellow Fragrantican before I got my hands on a full bottle. There simply are no words.

UPDATE: I'm thinking I must have gotten a bad sample. Would be interesting to try this one again some day and see if we still clash as much...

...ohh my,I love this scent so much EdP smells divine on my skin and edT on my clothes I get some aura of LouLou in the beginnig ,definitely best fruity chypre or lite oriental ,that I found out All these reviews helped me to find this beauty THANK YOU ALL on Fragrantica again A scent of goddess ,my all time favorite,no doubt Dark plum and sultry fruitiness drys down on my skin in to vibrating smoky notes ,so sensitive and delicious I can,t stop sniffing my wrists
It must drives men crazy...
Must update here again The bottle of edT has rainbow reflected glass and on my skin it stays not as long ,just my clothes can remind me of it EdP lasts forever on my skin These two are kind of different scents,love both EdP reminds me strong YR Comme Une Evidence now discounted le perfume elixir in small bottle/15 ml I am not sure about/ I used to love it

This perfume is just compelling. At first I didn't like it; it seemed to have a sour note I didn't like. I read the reviews and decided to give it another try. I find I turn to it again and again. I love the fact that it is somewhat unique among the overly sweet florals that are so popular these days. It has more sillage than most, and lasts longer than most. (I've been so disappointed in my Dior's total lack of sillage!) I use this perfume almost daily, because it is just plain compelling. . . and it is so inexpensive. Wow. If you aren't a fan of the super super sweet candy fragrances. this might be for you.

I'm so pleased I took a chance on this blind buy based on the rave reviews here. The notes fit nicely with the ones I usually love(spicy/floral Orientals), and I figured for less than $20, this was a modest gamble. It smelled so beautiful from the first spritz that I thought I'd even forgive it if Mauboussin ended up smelling cheap by the end of the day-- it starts off so nicely. I was surprised, then, that the fragrance remained rich and wonderful throughout the day.

Big longevity and sillage. This smells much better than you would dare to expect for the price tag. I even got a flirtatious pinch from someone today-- is it the perfume? I'll wear it again and find out.

LOVE this fragrance.

I cannot imagine someone, who doesn't like this perfume, it is just so pretty. I'd say it's one of the biggest crowd pleasers I ever smelled, and this definitially includes me. I actually love it.

It's a modern composition, not 80s, as others have mentioned. 80s is only the strength of the fume, you really should use it sparingly to bring out the best. Also you never need to think about reapplying.

It's a chypre by construction, not by effect. In addition the boozy fruitiness makes it very modern. Also it doesn't change and morph like oldschool chypres or orientals, but stays more lineal over all.

The best fruit fume I know.

A must in every wardrobe, imho.

The last couple of weeks I'm experimenting with different aplly techniques, so that it is possible to wear the big and heavy fumes in this underperfumed world, we live in (without scaring the hell out of everybody around me). I had success with Habanita not sprayed, but mixed with unscented body lotion. I guess, for Mauboussin this might also be a good way to wear it at day time. I'll check that out.

I bought this based on reviews on Fragrantica and I adore it. I have never had so many compliments from men and women on a perfume I was wearing. Others have described it very well, suffice it to say it is unique, heady, nothing like Angel to my nose, it's a powerful, sensual, exotic brew that lasts and lasts . Pure perfection.

I really like it, it's a perfume with character but I wouldn't buy a full bottle, it turns quite masculine on me. But I like it's smell!
Patchouli is also dominant in this composition...It seems that it's a bit difficult for perfumers to creat a composition with patchouli, where it won't dominate the whole compo.

Just a quick *note* on this one..I find it smells much lovelier on my clothes than on my skin.The scent lingers and if I pick up an item which still has this scent I am in Heaven. I had been wearing it to bed for awhile, as it seemed to do best at night and was a relaxing scent after a shower. I would say on me, it is a boozy amber plum throughout.

I decided today to venture out with it on a big comfy sweater and twice, once early am, once in the evening I got :"OMG..what is that perfume you are wearing, it's amazing!" Nearly identical compliments(about 8 hours apart without reapp.) maybe it will be more than a bedtime scent afterall.

In an effort to embrace a scent or two that were actually created in this century, I purchased a mini EDP of Mauboussin. Both the bottle design and the reviews here inspired me to consider this fragrance. Generally I have done very well with fragrances of the great jewelers of Europe particularly those born on Place Vendome. Additionally the Mirabelle and Yellow Plum intrigued me.

I wore this fragrance three times. The first time, I applied my normal conservative amount, three dabs i.e. on inner elbows and base of throat on moisturized skin. After a very beautiful opening, which was surprisingly long lasting the fragrance dried down to non existence. I later applied it again that day with a repeat of the same performance.

The second day, I applied double my normal amount and was again scentless within two to three hours.

The third time I tripled my normal amount. The opening in this instance lasted almost two hours and was quite beautiful and very intriguing. Over the next 8 hours it changed directions several times. At one point it seemed very cloying and unpleasant but that disappeared and something calmer, sweeter and suggestive of cashmere sweaters evolved.

I'm fairly certain that this potion will not become part of my repetoire. It has many ingredients in common with Organza Indecence, but that fragrance seems to suit me better. The manner in which the Mauboussin kept morphing led me to question it's stability. Also due to needing to use a lot of it to get any results makes this a less than economical choice.

I will enjoy inhaling this pretty fragrance on others!

The plum and the benzoin waltz together while the ylang and sandalwood are in balance with the vanilla. The woody/cedar drydown lasts 12+ hours on my skin, with the plum peeking in and out the whole time . One or two sprays is plenty. Intriguing, and a real winter treat. It's ideal in dry, cold weather and I love it!

This review is a long time coming...having tried this several times over the last year and basically hating it, I finally saw a 3.3oz bottle at TJMaxx going for 14 bucks over the Christmas holiday. I figured if I just didn't like it then, I was never going to like it. I guess in my case it took some cold weather for me to enjoy this scent.

Its fruity, and sweet; As I've tried this more than a few times, I get honey, plums and citrus is very up front. In cooler weather (at least for me ) that sweetness is manageable, whereas in warmer or humid weather its like I'm smothering under a plum syrup blanket.

The spice kicks up about 30 minutes in, and I smell a faint almond smell, a bit of spice, and that sandalwood/amber mix...yum!

At about hour one I get a lovely spiced rose. Again, having tried this one out during hotter months this was way killer...and not in a good way.

Lasts on me for quite a long time. I've worn this and smelled it the next day, though faintly. Sillage can be a bit aggressive if you use a lot (4+ sprays) but otherwise, I think a 2 shot spray or a walk through is fantastic for this scent.

I still don't understand how anyone could wear this in warm weather. or maybe just on me there's no way I can because i'd be in a diabetic coma! I'll just keep this as my cold weather baby :-)

Bought this blind online and when I recieved it I tried to like it but found it to smell revolting, now I'm stuck with a practically full bottle :( lesson learnt never blind buy a fragrance.

I was inspired by fellow Frangrantican, chowchow41, to try this and I'm very happy I gave it a shot! This was a total blind buy for me, but after reading her review and seeing her suggest this frag to so many others,I thought I would give it a whirl.

First off, I smell a smoky (incensy?) plum laced with patchouli and it stays that way for around 30min. Then it becomes more sweet (not candy sweet) and woodsy. The benzoin really stands out on my skin as it dries, but it's very creamy no less. I notice some slight nuances of amber and only a hint of vanilla, but that's ok.

This is a cold weather frag; the notes won't be nearly as creamy or comforting and warmer temps won't do it justice. Also, I found the longevity and sillage to be excellent as well. Mauboussin is very unusual, which seems to be the norm for me lately; something that not everyone else is wearing. This is also an attention getter as well; I noticed several people looking my way as I passed and even caught one lady catching a whiff! LOL

Definitely worth trying if you like woodsy scents or if you're wanting to depart from the ordinary. Special thanks to chowchow41 for the inspiration to try it! :)

Gracias a todos vuestros comentarios, compré este perfume y estoy 100% feliz y emocionada de haber encontrado un aroma tan especial. Tal como me gustan los perfumes, que " se noten" , que duren por horas y días, que no pasen inadvertidos, que me hagan sentir especial y única. Gracias!

An intuitive blindbuy and love at first sniff. Mauboussin Mauboussin EDT reformulated is such a happiness potion for me that I cannot imagine how fabulous the prereformulated version must have been!

What do we have here? Ripe yellow and purple plum, sweet benzoin, delicately rendered patchouli, fresh vanille, soft amber, powdery ylang-ylang and woods as easily identifiable notes that mellow into a crafty, opulent and soothing concoction. The scent is a fruity chypre, but can be considered oriental woody due to its perfect rendition of benzoin and woods with almost gourmet accords. Its not overly but distinctly sweet and so comforting to the troubled heart and body!

Wearing it makes me feel so enveloped and cuddled as if thoroughly protected from the evils of the world. I cannot refrain from sniffing my wrists, but the scent is quite prominent, so it's enough to move myself in order to experience the warm breath of powdery dry and mouthwatering yumminess.
Great lasting power - no need to reapply throughout the day, unless you really want to douse yourself in it for the pleasure of sheer indulgence. Somehow, it reminds of Cartier LBDD EDP and Gres Goddess, but it stands out on its own.

MM is another Prozac in a perfume bottle for autumn/winter depression and an absolute must have in my fragrant collection.

Loved this! First time people were asking me which perfume I was wearing, all the time! In the beginning I was a bit 'afraid' of the sillage later on I really appreciated it that the scent was 'surrounding' me.

Along with Jovan Musk for Women, this perfume convinced me against blind buying based on stellar reviews. I really didn't like it. It just smells stuffy and old to me, a real overwhelming, suffocating kind of stuffiness. I'll continue giving it chances every once in a while, but the future's not looking bright (albeit I love the bottle).

I loved this at first sniff. So much anticipation from reading review after review. I was also intrigued by the notes. To me this is very pleasant in the beginning fruity, sweet and up lifting.

A very generous member of Basenotes gifted me a sample. Wow, woods through and through, fresh, clean and a little spicy. I can still smell this more than 12 hours later.

WOW. Okay, I have both... EDT and EDP are definitely different!

On initial spray, the EDT has more of that familiar "oriental" scent to it in the same vein as Kenzo Oriental & Coco Chanel. The plum is not as noticeable other than it is a kissing cousin of Kenzo Jungle Elephant, and the oriental-ness is light. But yes, I understand why everyone mentions K.J.E.

I smell no floral whatsoever, and the patch and cedar are super light, if not just imaginary to my nose. The dry down is a lovely sweet benzoin amber powdery wonderful heaven scent. I actually fell in love with this version of Mauboussin due to the light oriental and faint reminder of Kenzo Jungle, but MOSTLY for that delicious sweet dry down. OMG! This is the same dry down you get with Sensuous Noir. They are nothing alike at the top or heart, but that base is identical. Sensuous Noir has that great punch-you-in-the-face patchouli opening... where I can't detect patchouli here much at all. Which is odd, seeing as the patch is the #1 scent on the notes listed above.

Then I bought the EDP: Okay... where one reviewer said she "hates" the EDT and loves the EDP, I'm living in opposite land. The EDP is way too heavy on the plum (and is that REALLY PLUM? It's so not plum to me, but obviously it's "something" (!), and nothing else in the notes would explain it.) I think it's prune.

Not overly sweet. Though it is thick. Cloying. Heavier and more pungent than Jungle Elephant. HOWEVER, as much as I have a hard time with the first 5 minutes, it's REALLY great after that. The "plum" note (The Kenzo-esque part) does linger much longer in the EDP than it does in the EDT.

The drydown is identical to what I wrote above for the EDT, except that the "plum" note lingers much longer into the heart and actually into the first few hours of drydown.

My advice: Get both. Use the EDT in spring summer, and the EDP in Fall & Winter.

If you want something that LASTS, this is your perfume, use the EDP! WOW... Besides my K.J.E. and my Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau's longevity, this juice is potent and right up there with those two with MONSTER longevity.

And, P.S. for the price?!? PEOPLE!!! This is a huge bargain at twice the price! I own 2 EDT's and 1 EDP, and I'm considering getting another one just cuz it's so in-expensive, and this is now in my top 3 "go to's".

Edit: I just read Sandra Raicevic Petrovic's (sandrina_bambina) Report from TFWA 2012 Cannes and it states the following WONDERFUL news about Mauboussin: "The news reports from the Lorience booth will delight lovers of the Mauboussin, Courreges and Lulu Castagnette fragrances. Mauboussin launched the oriental version of Mauboussin, which arrives in a dark bottle and is named Mauboussin L'Elixir pour Elle. There are also men's Mauboussin Pour Lui and Mauboussin Neroli, in a golden pyramid-shaped bottle, dominated by orange blossom absolute and the absolute of Tunisian neroli."

Woo-Hoo!

I have the EDT: Wonderful. Ever so slightly reminiscent of Kenzo's Jungle Elephant... But I also sprayed this on top of a 2 hour old application of St. Tropez Dispenser Apres Soleil by Smell Bent, so I'm not sure if that is why I am getting that relationship or not.

I am a CK Obsession lover. I also love S.L. Ambre Sultan and and A.G. Ambre Fetiche... so yeah, I like em strong. This is not as strong or overpowering as the three I just listed, as far as strength and sillage go. And it does not have the sillage of Kenzo Jungle either... but it IS up there so, I agree it is not for the "faint of heart" as numbr9 stated. :D

I'm getting sweet plum. Is that sweet the chocolate? I think so, but it's not an in your face chocolate.

Not really seeing this related to Angel much. 3rd cousin 15 times removed maybe. To me, this patchouli is understated.

This rides on the amber, benzoic, vanilla base so beautifully.

sky76sky does a great job describing how I experience this scent.

For the price, you can't go wrong. I'm picking up a back up bottle of this!!! And probably will want the EDP for an even MORE super strength. I want people to SEE my scent trail when I go by.

MY SIGNATURE SCENT !!! Delicious, excellent longevity and crazy sillage.
I receive a lot of compliments when I wore it. I put it in the morning and on the other day,when I awake is still there: it is PERFECT! = I DO LOVE THIS SO MUCH !!! Smells lovely,delightful ... AMAZING !
Thank you MAUBOUSSIN !!! Thank you CHRISTINE NAGEL !!!

I wish I detected fruit. For me its a rich smoke filled opening. It sweetens over time, but holds on to the top notes throughout the day. A coworker commented " I smell incense...." It seemed that she couldn't detect where it was coming from even though I was sitting right next to her. It doesn't send out a vibe that is tame enough for an office setting. And go lightly if you put it on at bedtime. I overdid it once and gave myself a nasty little headache. I will keep it for winter or evening use.

As I absolutely cannot stand Mugler's Angel, do I have to pass on this one ?

I bought this blind, because the notes really are my thing. It wasn't expensive for a 100ml so I got the large bottle.

I got it in the mail on a very hot day and I wanted to wear it that same day... bad decision. I smelled like sweaty armpit (= patchouli on a hot day!!). Not a very attractive smell....

I wore it a couple of other times when it was not hot at all... AMAZING. Creamy, sexy, special, out there, noticable, gorgeous, yummie, feminine, ... I have fallen in love with this scent. It is one of the best perfumes out there.

Got this in the post today, wasn't sure at first kind of too musky; smelled a bit too mature for me but after a couple of minutes I really warmed to it! I adore it, this fragrance lasts for hours and hours without being too strong and woody tones make it calm and sweet, perfect!!

Just as an update, I have worn this perfume pretty much everyday since I got it. And to my delight it has become the only perfume that I have ever been complimented on! :) Both the compliments came from people in my life who are a bit alternative/hippy and would rather wear patchouli or sandalwood oil (which I am quite partial to myself) than department store perfumes. I really do think this perfume is a special find and I love it's uniqueness! :)

Ooohh, this smells like if you mix two drops of Badgley Mischka Badgley Mischka with one drop of Angel, really. The best silage from my whole perfume collection and super longevity. Rich and full oriental, very sweet perfume with a sour notch in it. I spray it on my pillow, bevor getting to sleep. LOVE, LOVE IT! Only for woman.

This is what I was looking for when I tested minis of Shalimar and Imari. I can't explain it, others who have favored this perfume have wonderful reviews. All I can say is that I enjoy it and it works for all sorts of occasions. It does smell a little like a lighter Angel, which is good as I love Angel and others may think it is too heavy. It is mature but not too overly mature to my nose.

This is a luxury deep scent that wraps you up like a cloud. Makes me think of freshly cooked dark plum jam, from the best sort of plums, transparent but in thick honey-like syrup, Even though sweet, there is certain depth and heaviness in it. It makes you noticable and people will feel your presence. It's mysterious and sophysticated, I am thinking of refined conversations about art snd all fine things, in selected company, maybe savouring best quality cogniac with people who know how to appreciate it.

For some reason, when i first tried it-as it was a blind purchase based on enigmatic rreviews here-thank you to all who provided-I thought of Angel by Mugler. Sweet patchouli vanilla-however Maboussin has certain tartiness to it, it is sweet but with a hint of irony, as if saying, after all, I am not taking myself so serious or making a statement, I just play with it and see how it feels. Definitely a different and dignified scent.

I want to wear a bit oversized, good quality cotton white shirt with it, for a bit bohemian look, as this fragraance is clothes enough by itself.

I want to warn you that a bottle has a turning nozzle-you can open and close it. I have received my bottle and it has leaked about 1-2 cm. Also, it has a silver cap, not purple, how it is shown on main picture. It is packed in a silver box with purple flying stars, with not much padding inside.I would have expected a bit better packaging for such beautiful fragrance.

I am thinking Smoked Prunes with walnut centre soaked in liquier in thin coat of black chocolate. Who comes from eastern europe, knows what I am talking about:))

I think this is probably the best perfume I have ever tried! This will definitely be my new signature scent, I am in love!!! :) I am no perfume expert so can't describe the notes, but I think if you like sweet, bold (but not in your face) patchouli based perfumes you could like this. The drydown is the best part, to me it smells very similar to Juliette Has a Gun Midnight Oud (which is out of my price-range but I also love). The sillage is fantastic as is the staying-power. Can't say enough good things about this perfume, it makes me feel happy and comfortable but sexy and exotic at the same time! I don't find it a mature or "old lady" scent at all although I can understand that it could come across that way at the beginning. If you don't like it at first spray, wait for the drydown and you might change your mind :)

oh,bought it based on reviews:(:( big mistake!!!!! not my cup of tea at all. To old fashion and suffocating scent. Sorry for all those who love this fragrance but i can not put my thumb up.....

I ordered this online, only based on the written description but I have to say I was really disappointed. To me it smells stale and is like headache in a bottle.
I tried to wear it few times to see if it might change during the day, but it didn't , so I gave it to someone who actually liked it.

Out of all of the fruity patchoulis that followed Angel, this is the only one I really love. Most of the fruit-choulis seem bimbo-ish to me, including Miss Dior Cherie (strawberry), Coco Mademoiselle (citrus), and Badgely Mischka (peach-chouli). Plum seems to be the key to make this combination a little more sophisticated. Maybe the dryer sweetness of plum keeps it all from going over the top. I agree with other reviewers that it seems like it should be a winter perfume, but I have worn it year-round. Note: the bottle is not actually iridescent, but it hardly matters given the price/quality ratio. My most successful blind buy.

Very unique. Initially a fruity chypre mellowing down to a dry-smoky-woodsy oriental, thanks to the benzoin and vanilla. Out of my entire perfume collection, this one seems to elicit the most compliments and enquiries from both men and women. Cozy and comforting in winter and erotically intoxicating on hot summer nights.

I try to like something in every fragrance. This, however, is the most dissonant composition of sweet, woodsy, herbal, chocolate I have ever smelled. Just a bizarre set of CLOYING notes. When my pet made a mess on the floor, after I cleaned up, I cracked open the ugly bottle and used the contents to "cover up" the odor. Big mistake. It actually made the house smell worse. This is the only harsh review I have written about a scent, maybe I just have a strong reaction to sweet woodsy smells. If you like that sort of thing, this is the scent for you.

Really overpowering. For my liking it is too similar to Clinique - Aromatics elixir, which, unfortunately, causes me nausea and headache. Too harsh, I think ylang ylang is what bothers me .. too herbaly, too laboratory.
I'm not impressed, and was expecting a lot more.

I bought it thinking I would have a replacement for Theorama, but no. Too peppery/burnt for me. If I could remove that ONE smell, I would love it.

One of the best perfumes I have smelled in a long time, I get stopped every single time and asked what I am wearing. Lovely dried fruit accord but not too sweet, warm and comforting with a base note of Patchouli, not the Hippie kind more a fresh herbal note. Lovely.

i dont like it very much. too much plum brandy and burnt rubber. after it dries down its more pleasent but still not something i would wear.

Mauboussin is a big-boned inedible fruity oriental. It doesn’t always strike me as appealing, but it’s always striking. The fruit, plummy, peachy, mandarin, is just a bit rotten. It’s turned fruit that smells good in a brandy-like way but also warns you that it’s no longer edible. Actually, boozy isn’t quite it. Turned fruit and benzoin together smell to me like bitter, alcohol based herbal tinctures. It’s all a reflection of that push-pull food-but not-edible quality that the only gourmands I like seem to have.

The dissonance lasts to drydown when dusty cedar and sweet patchouli fight for the dominant woody tone. Mauboussin is not so much either conflicted or indecisive as ready to pounce one way or the other at a given moment.

I have an EDT, and it's a real sillage monster, especially for an EDT concentration. To my nose it's quite spicy...very along the lines of Moschino and Kenzo Elephant. When I sniff my wrist I also detect peaches and plums, but as the perfume projects from the skin the fruit notes blend in and don't stand out. I would also put Mauboussin in the category of "intoxicating" scents...it definitely has that femme fatale presence. Simply gorgeous fragrance!
The longevity is average though...gone after about 3 hours.
I was very intrigued by the reviews saying that EDP is a deeper and richer version, so I couldn't help it and ordered a bottle of EDP as well. Can't wait to try it!

I feel like an idiot. Bought this, unsniffed, bought two bottles actually. Tried the first in what was our autumn winter and...hated it!!

Too oily, too syrupy, too rubbery, too fruity.

So, decided I'd write that review and offer both for swap...
But, luckily, decided to try it again, before I went ahead.

OOOOOOOO. In this warmer weather, went on sweet, multi-layered, rich, enticing. A very delectable combination of fruit, amber and patchouli. So, fruity rich, but with the depth that I yearn for. The other surprise for me is that most think this is a winter smell. For me, these notes come out to dance in the warmth, and work with the sun, and seemed rank and sour in the cold.

Another lesson in trying a perfume over a long, varied period of time and clime!!

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about dancing in the rain."

Good luck!

Mauboussin EDP by Mauboussin is not actually a fruity chypre but quite close. I mean, it lacks the classical chypre drydown. However, for me it is the right extent of chypre'ness that makes it quite distinctive if compared to ordinary fruities and still wearable without usual chypre concerns. Mauboussin EDT lacks EDP's personality and therefore may have less fans. Mauboussin EDP is one of those scents that may be well worn everyday and on
a special occasion. Sillage is great, if you don't want your sweater smell for 3 days, avoid spraying on it.

I found a mini of this gem at my local perfume shop, and was so smitten with the dark, syrupy plum-vanilla that I immediately purchased a 100ml online. For $35, it was a steal!

Unfortunately one of my versions (the mini or the 100ml) must be old or otherwise off as they smell completely different from each other. While both say EDP, the mini's liquid is dark orange whereas the 100ml is a light yellow. The most significant difference, of course, is the scent. The mini is a dark, voluptuous plum with a heavy dollop of vanilla, whereas the 100ml has a drier, plasticky, more powdery aspect that reminds me of fruit left out to dry for way too long. I'm suspecting that either my mini has turned (it was out on display at the store when I bought it) or it might actually have been the EDT. I'll have to find a tester of the EDT to verify, but as of now I love my mini and am unsure about the 100ml.

This fragrance is very interesting, I woulkd say that is a dark woody chypre oriental with a fruty veil. Its very strong, sweet and serious in a way it must be weared only in formal, dressed up occasions. The resins and patchouli are the main notes but the plum is in the backstage to. I like it very mutch, although the top notes are alcholic ans harsh because of a not so well balanced bergamot.
I like it but I'm not sure if I'm going to wear it mutch nowadays.
Anyway, its a classic chic perfume and I'm surprised it was made in 2000.
Get it if you are a patchouli lover!

I was given this by a dear friend of mine for my birthday 2 years ago; at the beginning I was not convinced, 'cause I thought it was not my style at all, so this nice, cute elegant bottle was left closed in his box on the shelf! but....something happened!!! I don't know why, but I was captured from the bottle and decided to give him another try! well...it's an old fashioned style perfume, ones of those that evokes memories of the 50's divas, powder, lipstick...and perfume!!! if you like this picture, Mauboussin is for you. patchouly is very strong but because of the bergamot and mandarine is cool and refreshening at the same time. it is very persistent, lasts for hours. love it

a perfume for life! it will be never oldfashioned or outdated, it's a timeless beauty, slightly gourmandish, elegant, classy, sophisticated, tempting, intriguing. a vanilla-caramelish delight with all the most precious woods, the most delicious fruits and the most beautiful smelling powdery sweet flowers in this world in one bottle. must have for every women of every age which one loves real perfumes profundly!

This is soft comfy delight. It has some soft powder, not too sweet and nothing harsh or discordant. I get a delicious soft tobacco scent from this. I love how it smells on me before the powder becomes more pronounced, but even later I like it a lot- this is a powder I can not only tolerate but enjoy:it's not dusty ancient scratchy or too dry. It is not a tween baby powder- it even manages to have character without becoming overbearing or too serious. It works- and I rarely find likable most fragrances that are designed to be primarily powdery or which unintentionally turn powdery.
It'll never replace my beloved Theorema, and yeah, it's a bit powdery but it's comforting and interesting and great stuff.

I really used to love Fendi's Theorama, and bought this based on LT's idea that this one smelled similar, maybe because Christine Nagel made it as well.

Has way too much pepper for my nose, and hurts my throat. So sad!

Mauboussin is different-certainly not what I expected. I thought I'd get smoke, spice and tobacco, not a plum honey jam faintly reminiscent of Poison. I didn't get an Angel connection, like many reviewers did. feeling, if anything, it was more akin to Cssmir.
The beginning is sweet. but as it develops, the patchouli and cedar peeking out lend a nice woodsy edge to the plums. Fruit and woods-hmmmmmmmmmmmm-makes me think...bears! LOL. Seriously, though, if you like woody scents tempered by luscious, lush fruitiness-Mauboussin just might be your baby. Sandalwood and amber fans like me will adore the drydown, and the bottle is cool, too. Surprisingly, I didn't miss the spice. A keeper.

Mauboussin update: A friend at work always complemented on how good I smelt....
Of course that always makes me very happy and puts a spring in my day....She had never heard of it, as per normal, no one knows of it over here.
I then purchased a bottle EDP the best, at her request, she loved it for a few warming, fleeting hours, but as she loves her daughter immensely and has not seen her for 2 years or more she sent it to her daughter in Africa, as she does with the majority of her aquired divine perfumes.........
I said, "How can you be without your Mauboussin, this is one fume you deserve to hang on to?" Her reply was, "Buy me another bottle, is truly a beautiful scent that Loves me too and yes I deserve this little touch of paradise".
Truly a perfume for the warm hearted, soul searching individual woman, who appreciates a bit of sensuality and class......... A Favourite....xx

(unsure if my sample is EDT or EDP)

My first thought when I smelled this was 'this has cedar in it', and sure enough, it does. This is what really stands out on me. Like many reviewers below, I get zero plum, and zero smokey or incense accords.

But I do get lace doilies kept in the cedar chest for a few decades. I just reviewed a cedar heavy fragrance with Kurkdjian's absolue pour le soir, and this note should be crisp and dry. Here it is dusty and stale.

I also wore one of my favorites today that features plum, and this note should be fat, oily and crystalizing; here it is a bit...ripe.

I do think this makes for a good comfort scent, but if I really want a fruity chypre I have Mitsouko...

Take it easy with this one!! It is a very strong, full bodied fragrance. Just a couple of sprays to the front of you, that you walk into, is enough. Better to have less, and add, than put too much. It's perfect for cold weather. I had the EDT which I HATED. Pungent, sickly plum notes and just horrid. Then i took the plunge to buy the EDP (of which I had a small sample of). I love it... It's so special, smokey, sexy, sweet, mysterious. Really worthy trying before you buy, but it's really nice to have on in the right climate and setting.

Strong dried fruit at first, with a Tobacco Vanille quality (though without a "real" tobacco note). After a few hours it changes into a Barbara Bui or Kenzo Amour EdP type of fragrance, which is a dry, vanillic sandalwood (in this case it seems like it's combined with another wood note). Imagine icing on wedding cake that is dried to a powder and sprinkled on a wood plank. It's very well done, but strong. After a few samplings I swapped mine off, because there is such a dry wood aspect to it that it begins to irritate me after a while. As you might expect, projection and longevity are great. For men who like fragrances like Joop! Homme, you might want to try this.

Update: I haven't worn this in over 10 years, but today's blustery winter weather made me think of it in the back of my fume stash.

It would seem that age is kind to this scent. Today it is a lovely plum coated amber oriental. Definitely not a chypre of any sort. While the rubber vibe has gone away, It's strength has not diminished so 4 dabs on pulse points is plenty.

I find this fragrance better dabbed on than sprayed--it's very potent. It reminds me of rum spice cakes that we have during Christmas- dark, rich, spicy with a touch of liqueur. It's not an everyday fragrance for me, but I do find myself reaching for this when the days are cooler and the leaves are starting to fall off the trees.

One of my favourites, along with Kenzo Jungle and Opium.I would describe it as an oriental,spicy, warm,sexy and undoubtably intoxicating. Lasts for ever on my skin, always get compliments on it, and no one has heard of it when they ask me what perfume I am wearing. Love that I only know me, who has Mauboussin. x

The first initial stages of this smell is similar to TM Angel on my skin. I think its the over ripe plum note that gives me the impression of the dark chocolate note I love so much in Angel. It actually smells so similar to Angel on me that it would be pointless to buy a bottle of this. I enjoy it, but I love my Angel much more. This dries down to a fruity, gourmand, vanillic scent. Sweet but not cloying.

Fruity Chrype??? Smells like an oriental to me.

To my nose, MAUBOUSSIN is a dark, smokey oriental--not a chypre--with nearly no sweetness at all. What others describe as "plum wine" or "plum pudding" smells to my nose more like the odor emitted by an appliance that has been overheated or is on the verge of shortcircuiting!

The dominant dark, subterranean mystery note could be an oily leather or a over-roasted tobacco, I suppose, but it smells more to my nose like burnt rubber. Or perhaps a plum compote left to simmer too long on the burner, bubbling like the potion in a witch's cauldron before settling to a gooey tarlike layer at the bottom of the pan?

I wholeheartedly concur that MAUBOUSSIN is unique, but it is not working with my skin's chemistry, and I won't be adding this one to my collection. Désolée!

Mauboussin is a gorgeous chypre fruity, bordering on oriental.

Upon first sniff, I wondered if someone had skimmed and bottled the peaches from my beloved Guerlain Mitsouko. The peach note dominates this scent rather than the plum for me, but all the fruits smell ripe and freshly-sliced, without any added sugar or cream. The dry-down becomes warm and woody, less sweet and with a pronounced cedar note on my skin. I don't get the similarities to Angel or Shalimar that others have mentioned. Prada seems a bit closer, with some luscious peaches on top, but Mauboussin is truly unique.

The EDT has great sillage and decent longevity. A little drop or two will suffice. I'm so sorry to have found this one in Springtime. It may be a bit too heavy for warm weather but I know it will be divine when winter returns.

I bought Mauboussin quite a while ago. Used it last night for the first time - we have a sliding door in the bedroom that leads onto the pool patio. I was getting dressed and the door was open - my husband walked by and called me outside - asking if I could smell Rum and Maple tobacco? I rest my case.

I get an oriental fruity floral, but instead of the modern thin fruity/floral scents, this one is complex and layered enough to smell classic and formal. Very nice, with a golden feeling.

SUPER DIVINE. Hugh quality, great sillage. A++++

I bought it untried, charmed by reviews and by promises of a boozy plum note.Well - it`s there!Resinous, strong,slightly astringent and sour, it has the quality of a plum brandy in the making - bubbly, fizzy, heady and intoxicating - when the fruits ferment, mixed with sugar.But I don`t find any similarities with other well known perfumes, and it does not last on me as long as I expected.I love it anyway and probably will get another bottle.

I bought this unsmelled just from reviews, & I'm glad I did! I smell more spice and incense than chocolate and cream from Mauboussin Jalutschka. I do get some dried plums, patchouli, and amber. A "warm" scent to wrap yourself in on chilly days. Loads of sillage. Not for the faint of heart.

Unfortunately, I don`t detect any plum here (my favourite fruit note), just apricot and peach. Not that bad, but too much vanillasugar-like in a drydown. Also, I don`t detect anything chypre in this, and I love chypre. Fruity-vanilla it is, not my cup of tea.

Rich as fruitcake - and similarly polarizing. One of those love-it or hate-it scents.

I loved it, from the plummy liqueur up top through the peachy-rose-ylang heart, all the way through the absolutely delicious (but inedible)drydown. I think it may be the benzoin-vanilla-woods-amber combination that reminds me of the drydown of Shalimar Light, which I also love.

I am dabbing instead of spraying, and do not find the opening overwhelming. Sometimes that makes a difference with strong scents, in my opinion.

I despise Angel and don't see a lot of resemblance, although I do get hints of Shalimar in the drydown.

Powerful Plum Pummels Pitilessly would be the tabloid headline for the opening blast of this perfume - it's a strong statement and may well put off some delicate types who might have loved the ending but couldn't stay with it long enough to find out.

Luckily, I love strong, statement-making perfumes and am a huge fan of plum, but even for me the opening is a little... brash. It feels very 1980's at that stage - all shoulder-pads and swagger - but I am here to add my voice to the choir singing Mauboussin's praises and advising you to be patient: it's totally worth your while.

After that initial half hour of timewarping comes a richly boozy treat, a plum pudding of deliciousness that slowly unfurls into an incredibly surprising Turkish rose explosion of petals. Surprising only because when I see rose notes buried beneath a list of strong 'flavours', they barely show a hint of their ankles. Here, we have a rose note doing a veritable Can-Can dance, flashing the frilly knickers and all! A sumptuous stage to be savoured - and I am not usually a rosey kind of gal unless, as here, it's decadently sexy.

The boozy plum mellows after a while into a bramble jelly - the kind to be eaten with pheasant - slightly tart, richly delicious.

Several hours after my initial spray and I am at the deeply comforting stage of the dry vanilla with a sprinkling of cocoa - powder; something akin to opening a box of indecently expensive handmade truffles - certainly not an overpowering sweetness, and not at all that noisome, cloyingly fake note that many lesser perfumes linger on. It reminds me of the same stage in Chopard's Casmir (another of my favorites) - with an almost savoury saltiness lurking in the background of the vanilla-pod infused peachiness.

I suppose I can see *some* similarities between this and Angel. Lest you hitch up your skirts and run screaming - fear not, gentle reader, as I really dislike Angel and yet am in love with Mauboussin, so they are hardly twins separated at birth. I think in that opening, somewhere, there is - to my nose - though I realise it may not resonate with anyone else - a kind of blue bubblegum smell that has you reminiscing about your childhood. It disappears quite rapidly, happily enough for me. Such notes should only really appear in perfumes for children or in honour of Z-list celebrities.

Oh, but this final stage has to be experienced - it is glorious, sumptuous and all-enveloping - a gently smoky vanilla laced through with cedar wood & benzoin. A close to the skin natural sexiness to die for. I know I should be saving this for the colder months ahead, but I just don't think I can wait.

Thanks to Kama, I got to trial this unique perfume.

The first 10 mins are almost greasily alcoholic, but persevere & you will be rewarded with a particularly boozy plum scent that lasts & lasts.

This scent is ALL about the plum - deep, rich, intense, dark plum. At first it is very alcoholic - plum liquer is spot-on! I do not think of this as a chocolate scent but for a short time a deep cocoa graces my skin to emphasise the depths of the plum.

The plum brandy then settles into a rich fruity boozy jam - not a sweet jam, but one that has mellowed for many years with an almost dry, viscous quality. This then holds true for many hours before all that remains is the amber.

To my nose, I could not link it to Angel or L.Lempicka - but I do understand why Rach86 talks of cough syrup & Kama is spot on with the Prada similarities in its last gasp.

For me, it is very unique & very grown-up 'plum'. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did!

This one was a disappointment for me - a very weird smell, not feminine at all. Kind of woodsy and smokey, lacks the sweetness I need. Though strange and not wearable for me, I have to admit that it comes in a real gem of a bottle!

When I first put this on I thought I smelt like someone poured an entire bottle of plum liquor out over my head. I was just about ready to jump right back in the shower to scrub it off when it suddenly mellowed and started smelling like actual perfume. I'm glad I waited for a little while instead of scrubbing right away because if I had, I would've never known what a great scent this really is.
It's sweet, woodsy and ambery but not overly so. It's exactly right.
Not a warm weather scent though, this one is best saved for cool/cold days.
Staying power on me is great, it lasts me at least 8 hours. And that's for the EdT.

This is the changing flavor of men.Kogato me ask: How is it? Replied-Аgent Provokateur + sweeter than me plum.Wonderful! Got a compliment:)

Thanks to Jalutschka I received this perfume in swap. I was so thrilled by all reviews that I really wanted to have it… and I am glad I do!
I start from the bottle..it is very original bottle, nice box…
Then the 1st spray – it is a bit hard…almost like I needed to learn how to spray it..but it was just 1st spray like that..now it works perfect.

I sprayed and the 1st think was sour smell of plum…pretty uncommon, very intense smell of plum mixed with brandy! It is heavy oriental plum that starts to change from brandy plum into chocolate plum…and that is where I really start to love it…

After 1 hour I can smell really yummy chocolate… it is so yummy that I sniff myself once in 10 minutes…

After few hours the chocolate smell changes into nice sweet fog of vanilla, sandalwood and amber.. and it is where It starts to remind me of Prada...

The top notes on me scream Robitussin cherry cough syrup. I'm not familiar enough with the particular notes in Mauboussin to tell you which ones are causing that smell.

Once that calms down I get a really nice peach and ylang-ylang. It's a gorgeous, soft scent.

The dry down on me is a pleasant sandalwood and amber.